French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a Moroccan delegation representing King Mohammed VI at a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of Operation Dragoon on Thursday in Saint-Raphaël, in southeast France.
Operation Dragoon was a World War II military operation involving 350,000 soldiers on August 15, 1944, in Provence in Southern France. The operation marked the beginning of the Allies’ counteroffensive in Europe.
Approximately 250,000 of these soldiers were from African countries, including Morocco. The other 100,000 soldiers were American, British, and Canadian troops.
Initially intended to be executed in tandem with Operation Overlord (the Normandy landings), Operation Dragoon was key to the Allies’ strategy to recapture Europe and march toward Berlin.
It was especially critical for France, as it helped restore the nation’s standing after the humiliating defeat in the 1940 Battle of France which led to Germany’s occupation and subjugation of France, along with Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The ceremony held today is part of a series of international events this year to mark the 80th anniversary of the landings.
During the event, President Macron decorated three African veterans who fought alongside the Allies during the war. Among them was Moroccan veteran Larbi Jawa, age 98, who received the Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French President.
Speaking at the event, Macron acknowledged the contributions of soldiers recruited from France’s overseas colonies.
Six African leaders participated in the official ceremony, underscoring the significant role that African troops played in France emerging as one of the victorious Allied powers after World War II.
The Moroccan delegation included Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and Morocco’s Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail.