Press Report – Involvement of Qatari Entities in Managing Deceptive Campaigns Against Morocco via Fake Accounts on “X”
In the hours following the emergence of a new feature on the platform “X,” millions of users faced one of the largest electronic misinformation scandals in the region. The update, which temporarily allowed for the disclosure of the actual location of devices operating accounts, became a magnifying glass revealing the extent of digital armies hiding behind Arab and Maghreb identities, directing a systematic and hostile discourse aimed at destabilizing specific countries, with Morocco at the forefront.
After the feature was activated, users from different countries rushed to examine accounts that had long sparked controversy, particularly those claiming allegiance to Morocco or Algeria, and specializing in exacerbating tensions between the two nations. The shocking surprise was that a significant number of these accounts were not managed from Morocco or Algeria, but from countries far removed from the Maghreb region.
Among the sites uncovered, Qatar emerged as one of the most active sources managing accounts impersonating Moroccan and Algerian identities, pushing an anti-Morocco narrative through concentrated and stylistically similar campaigns.
“Moroccan” Accounts with Artificial Dialects… From Doha
In the early hours after the feature’s rollout, dozens of accounts appeared bearing Moroccan names and icons featuring the national flag, but broadcasting their content from Qatar. These accounts shared several noticeable commonalities:
- Use of an unnaturally “polished” Moroccan dialect;
- Posting synchronized content targeting Moroccan institutions;
- Promoting identical narratives about “internal crises,” inflating isolated events;
- Conducting systematic campaigns against sensitive sectors such as security and diplomacy.
Conversely, other accounts adopted an Algerian identity yet attacked Algeria itself or fueled enmity with Morocco, clearly attempting to ignite a virtual conflict between the two peoples.
Recent Arab media sources confirmed that part of these accounts belongs to digital groups backed by media institutions in the Gulf, which have been managing influence campaigns on various international issues for years. With the emergence of the location disclosure feature, it became clear that these networks operate in a coordinated manner from within Qatar, utilizing algorithms to repost content densely to create an impression of a virtual “public opinion.”
Methodology: A Misinformation Machine Relying on Digital Disguise
The operation of these accounts was remarkably sophisticated. On one hand, they assumed local Moroccan names such as “Younes from Fez” or “Meryem from Casa,” and on the other, used selected images from the internet of unknown individuals or street captures from Morocco. However, the disguise fell when it became apparent that their broadcasting source was Doha, far removed from any Moroccan context.
In this regard, a digital security expert who spoke to the site explained that “these networks do not operate spontaneously; rather, they follow a plan aimed at undermining trust between citizens and state institutions, provoking virtual conflict with Algeria, and promoting destabilizing narratives.” He added that the temporary location disclosure “revealed the extent of foreign interference in the Moroccan internal discourse.”
Intersections with Networks Operating in Other Arab Issues
Notably, accounts operating in a similar manner appeared in other Arab contexts:
- Accounts impersonating Saudi identities managed from the UK and Qatar;
- “Opposition Egyptian” accounts broadcast from Turkey;
- Gulf accounts with feminine names managed from London;
- And general Arab accounts originating from Israel, from units specialized in cyber warfare.
What has raised concerns among observers is the clear scale of Qatari presence within the campaigns targeting Morocco over recent weeks, coinciding with regional files in which Doha has been experiencing tensions with Rabat.
One Platform… A Revelation that Rearranged the Scene
The appearance of the feature did not last long, as the management of the “X” platform quickly disabled it following a wave of collective account closures that had been exposed. However, during the brief time it was available, a massive number of accounts emerged broadcasting toxic discourse, hiding behind Moroccan or Algerian flags, while being managed from digital operational rooms outside the region.
For Morocco, this revelation showed that a significant portion of the “digital attacks” targeting it is not the result of real discussions or interactions, nor does it reflect public opinion, but rather tightly controlled cyber campaigns serving agendas that transcend borders.
Conclusion of the Scene
It has become clear that what seemed like a passing disagreement on the platform was merely part of a professionally managed information war from outside Morocco. Campaigns that appeared to portray angry Moroccan voices were, in fact, forged tools aimed at sowing doubt and undermining trust, presenting a distorted image of Moroccan public opinion.
The mask has been lifted from an intricate network operated by foreign entities, including parties located within Qatari territory, adept at playing roles through disguised accounts. With the exposure of the matter, it has become evident that today’s battles are no longer fought solely in the field or through traditional media but on digital platforms controlled by algorithms and electronic armies skillful in disguise… yet the truth remains stronger when it emerges into the open.
