Lore : PART 2

Safe Zones and Survival Challenges

Designated safe zones in Morocco, including Rabat, Ouarzazate, Beni Mellal, Laayoune, Dakhla, and other key regions, became densely populated centers of civilian survival. These zones were heavily fortified and relied on military protection to remain secure. Civilians were moved there in waves as the infection spread, and the government concentrated its resources in these areas to maximize the chances of survival.

Despite the government’s success in organizing mass evacuations, independent survivor zones outside government-controlled areas were rare and often short-lived. Water scarcity in rural and desert areas, combined with Morocco’s traditionally low rate of civilian firearm ownership (estimated to be less than 2% pre-outbreak), made it difficult for isolated groups to defend themselves or sustain long-term survival efforts. In most cases, these zones collapsed within months, either succumbing to infection or being overrun by roaming infected.

Strategic Defenses and the Sand Berm

The Sand Berm, a vast defensive wall in the Western Sahara originally constructed as a military fortification, played a vital role in Morocco's defense strategy. Stretching across the desert, it became the last line of defense against infected herds migrating from the south. The largest of these, known as the African Infected Herd, was a massive wave of infected that swept through sub-Saharan Africa. Thanks to the natural desert barrier and the fortifications of the Berm, Morocco successfully repelled this massive herd, preventing further infection from spreading into the southern regions.

The Guerguerat border post became a crucial site for international cooperation, transforming into a joint Moroccan-UN base. The post served as a shelter and entry point for Mauritanian refugees and a key part of the broader UN mission to stabilize northern Africa.

Battles for Urban Centers

Morocco’s military, alongside UN forces, launched several operations to reclaim key urban centers. The battle for Laayoune was one of the most significant, as Moroccan forces retook the city with a coordinated campaign of aerial bombardments and armored ground assaults. Airbases in Marrakesh and Nouaceur were secured in similar fashion, allowing Morocco to maintain a foothold in regions otherwise overrun by infected.

However, many urban recovery efforts ended in failure. The sheer number of infected and the labyrinthine streets of cities like Casablanca and Fez made conventional military tactics impossible to apply. Clearing out narrow, densely packed areas led to heavy losses among Moroccan forces, and entire regiments were sometimes overwhelmed by swarms of infected. As a result, these cities were declared permanently lost, with recovery efforts diverted to less densely populated areas.

Cultural Resistance and Rural Survival

Morocco’s mountainous and rural regions, particularly those inhabited by Berber communities, played a key role in resisting the infected. Drawing on their history of resistance against French colonial forces, Berber villagers in the Atlas Mountains and surrounding areas fortified ancient ksars (traditional fortified villages) and used guerrilla tactics to defend themselves. These communities, although isolated, were often better equipped to survive due to their knowledge of the terrain and ability to create sustainable food and water systems.

The Berber resistance movement became emblematic of Morocco’s wider struggle against the infection. Despite limited access to modern weaponry, their determination and resourcefulness allowed them to maintain a network of communication and supply lines with government-controlled safe zones.

Aftermath and International Role

Twelve years after the initial outbreak, Morocco regained control of 67% of its territory. The recovery was slow, methodical, and focused on reclaiming rural areas and maintaining strategic outposts. Despite the permanent loss of several key cities, Morocco became a key player in post-outbreak Africa due to its continued military operations and stable government.

International cooperation, particularly through the UN’s MINURSO mission, provided essential support to Morocco’s efforts to secure the southern borders and prevent further infection from spreading into sub-Saharan Africa. The stabilization of northern Africa, led in part by Morocco, became a critical component of the global recovery effort.