Maghreb in May 2026: the most important developments in security
In May 2026, the most closely followed security story in the Maghreb was the disappearance of two U.S. service members in Morocco after military exercises. Search and rescue operations began in early May, and the body of one soldier was found in southern Morocco on 10 May. The remains of the second soldier were recovered on 14 May.
In Libya, a militia commander accused of torture appeared before the International Criminal Court on 19 May. Prosecutors described him as a notorious torturer, and officials called the appearance a huge milestone. Two Italian activists of the Sumud flotilla were detained in Libya and were being treated as illegal migrants. The last vessels of the Gaza flotilla were intercepted by the Israeli Navy, while the land convoy faced opposition from Libyan forces. Earlier in the month, the Zawiya refinery shut down after nearby clashes.
Elsewhere in the region, a report said Russia's shadow air fleet uses Algeria as a hub for weapons and sanctions-evading flights. Spanish police made a record cocaine seizure off the coast of Western Sahara, and Germany sent a warship to the Mediterranean. Egyptian forces took part in the multinational exercise Flint Lock 2026, and a NATO commander said he was not concerned about the Ukraine conflict spreading to the Mediterranean.
by WorldBrief & Maksim Micheliov | AI-generated summary
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