Rabat and Abu Dhabi: Establishing an Advanced Model of Intelligence Cooperation

By: Sara El Ouakili | Aldar

In a clear indication of the growing level of security coordination between Morocco and the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, received on Tuesday in Rabat Mr. Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, Head of the UAE National Intelligence Service, accompanied by a high-level security delegation. This high-profile meeting was far from a routine diplomatic event; rather, it carried strategic implications regarding the trajectory of the bilateral security partnership, which has become deeper and more effective in light of the accelerating regional and global challenges.

The meeting addressed a number of security and intelligence-related issues, foremost among them the strengthening of operational cooperation between the two countries and the intensification of strategic information exchange to counter the growing terrorist threats — particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region, which has become one of the most fragile areas in terms of security, and a fertile ground for extremist groups and transnational crime. The meeting also provided an opportunity to exchange views on expanding regional challenges, whose repercussions are not limited to directly affected states, but also extend to global collective security.

This exceptional visit underscores the commitment of both countries to establishing an advanced model of intelligence cooperation, built on mutual trust, close coordination, and proactive efforts aimed at ensuring internal stability and reinforcing joint counter-threat measures. It also reflects Morocco’s elevated status as a trusted intelligence partner in the region, owing to its professional competence and extensive field experience in combating terrorism and other security threats.

Amid a global context marked by overlapping crises and multiple sources of danger, the Moroccan-Emirati meeting reaffirms that unilateral solutions are no longer viable. The battle against emerging threats requires strong alliances with long-term vision, grounded in strategic outlooks and genuine field cooperation. Once again, Morocco and the UAE demonstrate that security is no longer merely a domestic affair, but a collective responsibility that demands alignment in vision, coordination in decisions, and efficiency in execution.