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Morocco arrests ISIS-linked cell
Moroccan authorities dismantled an ISIL-linked cell and arrested 10 members, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations said on Monday, after simultaneous raids across Moroccan cities including Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, El Hajeb, Tetouan, Fquih Ben Salah, and Safi.
“in an advanced stage of preparation”
Al Jazeera reported that the raids seized bladed weapons, military-style clothing, bomb-making instructions, digital material and chemicals, and that police said the group’s plans were “in an advanced stage of preparation”.
The National said the cell’s members pledged allegiance to ISIS and planned to carry out a car-bomb attack, with detectives finding chemicals, military uniforms and “extremist manuscripts” belonging to the 10 suspects.
The National also reported that a 4x4 vehicle with a modified fuel tank was discovered in a warehouse in Inezgane, and that investigators said the plotters’ aim was a suicide bombing or a car-ramming attack “against sensitive targets and facilities”.
Caliber.Az added that investigators searched a warehouse in Inzegane and found a four-wheel-drive vehicle fitted with a modified fuel tank, along with electronic devices, bladed weapons, combat equipment, and video content containing threats of planned attacks inside Morocco.
Weapons, roles, and pledges
The National described how Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations said one suspect was the “emir” of the terrorist cell, assigning roles to other members including selecting targets and acquiring equipment.
Shafaq News similarly said the cell operated under an alleged “emir” who assigned members specific roles, including selecting targets and procuring equipment, and that the suspects included a minor.
Shafaq News reported that the operation uncovered bomb-making materials, chemicals, military uniforms, extremist literature, and a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a modified fuel tank intended for a suicide bombing or vehicle-ramming attack.
The National said raids took place on Monday morning in seven Moroccan cities, including Casablanca and Agadir, and that authorities found butane gas cylinders, pressure cookers filled with nails, electrical equipment and a batch of chemicals at the warehouse.
Morocco World News said Jordan condemned the “terrorist plots” that targeted public order, the safety of individuals, and property in Morocco, describing them as “an unacceptable attempt to undermine Morocco’s security, sovereignty, and stability.”
Regional links and next steps
Morocco World News said Moroccan authorities placed the adult suspects in police custody while a minor suspect remained under judicial supervision, and that investigations were continuing to determine the extent of alleged links to ISIS’s African branch in the Sahel.
“placed the adult suspects in police custody”
Al Jazeera reported that the last attack by an ISIL-affiliated group on Moroccan soil occurred in 2023, when three men killed a policeman in Casablanca, and it framed the new arrests against a backdrop of surging activity by fighter groups affiliated with ISIL and al-Qaeda across the Sahel region and West Africa.
Africa Defense Forum said Moroccan authorities arrested more than twelve ISIS operatives and disrupted a plot by Sahel-based extremists, with arrests taking place in February after raids on nine Islamic State cells in the country including Casablanca and Fez.
Africa Defense Forum also quoted Cherkaoui Habboub, head of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, saying “Morocco remains a major target of the programs of all terrorist organizations active in the Sahel,” and it added that the union of terrorist groups and criminal networks poses a real threat to Morocco.
Jeune Afrique said the operation came four months after the murder of two Scandinavian tourists in southern Morocco, described as “terrorist” by Rabat, and it reported that 24 people had been arrested in connection with those murders with their trial beginning on May 2.
