Morocco warns of terrorism and proxy warfare at UN

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita has called for enhanced international cooperation to combat the rising challenges posed by non-state armed groups. Speaking at a high-level event organized by the Gulf Cooperation Council during the 81st UN General Assembly in New York, Bourita emphasized Morocco's firm stance against these entities.

Bourita specifically condemned the criminal actions of Houthi militias targeting Saudi Arabia and Iranian attacks that threaten the security and stability of Gulf Cooperation Council nations. He also denounced hostile acts targeting freedom of navigation in maritime corridors used for extortion and the interests of specific parties.

The Minister highlighted the growing sophistication of armed groups, noting their ability to exploit national vulnerabilities, cross borders, and link different conflict theaters. He pointed to the severe impact in Africa, where approximately 24,000 deaths were linked to violence by armed groups over the past year. Furthermore, he warned of an increasing convergence between terrorist groups, separatist movements, and criminal networks, as well as the phenomenon of proxy warfare where states use armed actors to achieve strategic goals in violation of international law.