Two officials from Morocco told the Associated Press on Friday the country was withdrawing it's support for the Saudi-led coalition fight against Yemen's Houthi rebels, according to Al Jazeera.
The two officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity since they were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue, also noted Rabat recalled its ambassador to Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
The Moroccan officials also said the country was not participating in any military intervention or ministerial meetings with the coalition.
Riyadh first entered Yemen's war in 2015 to try and roll back the advances made by the rebels, who are aligned with Iran, but many often view the war as a proxy fight between Iran and Saudi Arabia.
But in the last year, more and more forces have spoken out against the coalition's actions in Yemen as millions face starvation in the Middle East's poorest country.
Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita told Al Jazeera last month the country was decreasing its presence after "developments on the ground" in Yemen, "especially in regards to the humanitarian situation."
Rabat previously cut its participation after a Moroccan F-16 jet was shot down by the Houthis in May 2015.
Al Jazeera also asked Bourita why King Mohammed VI did not host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on a recent tour of other Arab countries, which he replied: "Official visits are prepared in advance, according to protocol."
The tour came amid rising international concern about the Yemen war and the murder of Washington Post journalist and Saudi national Jamal Khashoggi.
One official noted Morocco declined to host MBS due to the Moroccan king's own "busy schedule."
Shortly after Bourita's interview, Saudi state-television Al Arabiya aired a documentary on the disputed Western Sahara that claimed Morocco invaded the area after Spanish colonizers departed in 1975.
Morocco responded by recalling its ambassador to Saudi Arabia for consultations, according to a government official.
Morocco has considered Western Sahara its southern territories.
-WN.com, Maureen Foody
Photo:
AP / Hani Mohammed
