Moroccan Authorities Thwart Major Terrorist Plot by Islamic State Cell

Moroccan security forces have successfully dismantled a clandestine cell affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), averting a series of imminent attacks within the kingdom.

The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), Morocco’s premier counterterrorism agency, announced the arrest of 12 individuals suspected of orchestrating attacks on behalf of IS in the Sahel region. The suspects, aged between 18 and 40, were apprehended in coordinated raids across nine cities, including Casablanca, Fez, and Tangier. Notably, the majority of these individuals were unmarried and had not completed their high school education.

During the raids, authorities uncovered a substantial cache of weapons and explosive materials. The seized items included components for constructing remote-controlled bombs, such as nail bombs, dynamite, and gas cylinders, as well as knives, rifles, and handguns with obliterated serial numbers. Additionally, Islamic State flags and significant sums of cash were discovered, suggesting the cell’s advanced stage of preparation for executing their plans.

Investigations revealed that the dismantled cell, self-identified as “the Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb,” was operating under directives from IS commanders based in the Sahel region. This connection highlights the transnational nature of modern terrorist networks and their attempts to expand their influence beyond traditional strongholds. The Sahel, encompassing parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, has witnessed escalating militant activities, with groups exploiting regional instabilities to further their agendas.

Further probing led Moroccan authorities to a weapons cache in the desert near the Algeria-Morocco border. The firearms and ammunition, wrapped in newspapers printed in Mali from late January, underscore the logistical support and cross-border smuggling routes utilized by these terrorist organizations.

Habboub Cherkaoui, head of the BCIJ, emphasized the gravity of the threat, stating, “Morocco remains a major target in the agenda of all terrorist organizations operating in the Sahel.” The foiled plot serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by nations in safeguarding their citizens against extremist ideologies and violent actions.

The timing of this revelation is particularly noteworthy, coming shortly after Morocco hosted Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev for a traffic safety conference. Minister Regev’s visit was cut short following unrelated bomb explosions on empty buses near Tel Aviv. While there is no direct evidence linking the foiled Moroccan plot to these incidents, the concurrence of events highlights the broader regional security concerns and the interconnected nature of terrorist threats.

Morocco has consistently demonstrated a proactive stance in combating terrorism. Since the establishment of the BCIJ in 2015, the kingdom has dismantled numerous militant cells and arrested over a thousand suspected jihadists. This latest operation not only reinforces Morocco’s dedication to thwarting terrorist activities but also showcases the effectiveness of its intelligence and security apparatus in preempting potential threats.