Morocco intensified its international security engagement in 2026 through a series of high-level visits led by Abdellatif Hammouchi, underscoring the country’s growing role as a key partner in global counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation.
Hammouchi, who heads both the General Directorate of National Security and the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, spearheaded a diplomatic push that took Moroccan security cooperation across the Middle East and Europe, reflecting what analysts describe as an increasingly assertive “security diplomacy.”
Between Feb. 8 and 12, Hammouchi led a senior security delegation to Riyadh, where he participated in the third edition of the World Defense Show at the invitation of Saudi Arabia’s state security chief. The visit provided an opportunity to explore advances in defense and security technologies and to discuss expanding bilateral intelligence cooperation and technical assistance.
In April, Hammouchi traveled to Sweden for meetings with senior judicial and security officials, including the Swedish minister of justice and national police representatives. The visit culminated in the signing of a bilateral memorandum of understanding on security cooperation, covering intelligence sharing, counterterrorism coordination, organized crime, irregular migration and cybercrime. Swedish authorities also proposed Morocco’s inclusion in a European network for tracking wanted persons, signaling confidence in Rabat’s security capabilities.
From May 5 to 7, Hammouchi took part in the 23rd regional meeting of intelligence and security services held in Viennaunder the auspices of the United Nations. The gathering brought together representatives from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Oman, Tunisia, Sudan, Turkey and Pakistan.
During the meeting, the Moroccan delegation presented the country’s counterterrorism strategy and held bilateral talks with counterparts on issues ranging from transnational crime and money laundering to human trafficking and irregular migration. Austrian officials praised Morocco’s intelligence contributions in thwarting attacks in Europe and expressed interest in further cooperation.
Immediately afterward, Hammouchi visited Istanbul on May 7 and 8 to attend the fifth edition of the SAHA Expo for defense, aviation and aerospace industries, following an invitation from Turkey’s national police chief. The visit included meetings with senior Turkish intelligence officials and defense industry representatives, focusing on strengthening bilateral security ties and reviewing technological innovations in security equipment.
These successive visits highlight Morocco’s expanding network of security partnerships and its growing integration into regional and international security frameworks. The outreach also reflects Rabat’s strategic focus on combining intelligence cooperation with technological modernization, positioning the country as an increasingly influential actor in global efforts to combat terrorism and organized crime.
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