The Moroccan army has reported that a military plane crash in the south of the country has left seventy-eight people dead and three people severely injured. No other reports have been released on the tragedy. Morocco is located in north Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean sea. Spain is located to the north, the western Sahara is to the south and the eastern border with Algeria.
This generally peaceful country is predominantly populated by Sunni Muslims of Arab ancestry. Little is heard of from this country; and most probably only relate to the Sahara desert and not the history or culture of the people.
Reuters is reporting that the plane crash occurred Tuesday, July 26, 2011. This is Morocco's deadliest air disaster in several decades. The report does not indicate whether any civilians were killed or if the tragedy only affected military personnel.
According to the U.S. Department of State, Morocco maintains close relations with Europe and the United States. It was the first country to seek diplomatic relations with the United States government in 1777. Morocco remains one of the United States' oldest and closest allies in that region. The country was the first Arab state to condemn Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in the nineties and sent their own troops to help defend Saudi Arabia. Morocco still maintains close relations with Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf states.
The United States and Morocco share a unified friendship and America will react to the tragedy in Morocco with sadness. Loss of life in any instance is tragic. Hopefully with the shock and horror still soaring over the deaths and destruction in Oslo, Norway, Morocco will not be overshadowed. They are mourning the worst air disaster they have suffered in many years.
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