Joint intelligence prevents Islamic State terrorist attack in Morocco

A joint security operation between Morocco and France has disrupted a planned terrorist attack on a religious site in Rabat, according to The Arab Weekly and agencies. A  21-year-old female student, affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), was arrested on June 28th in a pre-emptive move led by Moroccan authorities.

The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), under the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), carried out the arrest in coordination with French intelligence services. The operation followed the exchange of precise intelligence between both countries.

The suspect, enrolled at a prestigious technical institute, had reportedly progressed in preparations for a serious attack. According to an official statement, she had acquired skills in making explosives and lethal poisons and had begun gathering the materials needed to carry out the attack.

A search of her home revealed flammable chemicals, extremist texts promoting violence, and literature supporting takfir ideology. Authorities said the findings confirmed the ideological motivations behind the plot.

The DGST and Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) issued a joint statement emphasising the operation’s role in reinforcing long-standing cooperation between Moroccan and French security services. They also noted efforts to expand joint operations targeting organised crime and internationally wanted suspects.

French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin, during a recent visit to Morocco, praised the country’s “exceptional” intelligence efforts and described their cooperation as “excellent”. He added that it “helps us avoid tragedies in both France and Morocco.”

Strategic affairs analyst Hicham Moatadhid told The Arab Weekly the case reflects a growing security partnership. “Intelligence and security cooperation are pivotal to supporting regional stability across the Mediterranean. Shared challenges such as terrorism and irregular migration affect both Morocco and France,” he said.

International relations professor Khalid Chayat, also speaking to The Arab Weekly, called for extending cooperation to include education and prevention. He noted that violent extremism is rooted in radical ideologies and said such efforts could help counter future threats.

The suspect remains in custody under judicial supervision as investigations continue into her potential recruiters and any broader network.

Beyond sharing intelligence, the two countries have cooperated on many fronts. On June 24th, the French military took to X to share photos from a  joint military exercise between the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the French Air and Space Force. According to Yabiladi, the aerial-focused drills, dubbed Marathon 25, included coordinated training exercises centered on tactics and realistic combat scenarios.

The Arab Weekly and agencies, Yabiladi