Morocco: Dangerous terror plots uncovered, ten arrested

Ten suspects were arrested on 6 July after Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), following intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), thwarted highly dangerous terrorist plots that were in the advanced stages of planning.

As reported by government friendly Atalayar, the extremists aimed to severely disrupt public order and threaten the safety of people and property, coordinating their actions with logistical and operational support from the “Daesh” (ISIS) branch in the African Sahel region.

The BCIJ reported that members of the Special Force of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance carried out simultaneous intervention and arrest operations in Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, El Hajeb, Tetouan, Fquih Ben Salah and Safi.

The BCIJ further added that the coordinated operations that resulted in the arrest of these ten suspects included an individual previously convicted under Morocco’s anti-terrorism law and a minor.

Following intervention and arrest operations, BCIJ officials and agents inspected the homes of the detainees. The searches were conducted in accordance with legal procedures and safeguards, employed trained K-9 units from the National Security Services, and resulted in authorities recovering bladed weapons and materials meant for the execution of these planned attacks.

The raids further uncovered military uniforms, extremist manuscripts containing IED instructions, and digital media, including two recordings pledging allegiance to “Daesh” and threatening sabotage in Morocco.

A subsequent raid resulted in the seizure of a 4×4 vehicle located in a warehouse in Inezgane. The vehicle’s fuel tank was illegally altered in a concealed workshop to operate on butane gas. It was intended for use in a suicide bombing or ramming attack targeting high-profile sites and facilities.

Authorities confiscated butane gas cylinders, pressure cookers with nails, electrical wires, a welding machine, electric cutters, light bulbs, and various chemicals, all of which will be subject to technical and scientific analysis to establish their contents and intended uses.

Intelligence reports, field operations, and expert evaluations suggest that this terrorist cell was linked to the so-called caliph of the terrorist group “Daesh.” According to the BCIJ, the suspects had “recently received direct instructions and communications from certain leaders of the organisation’s branch in the Sahel and Sahara region, instructing them to remain in Morocco to carry out their program of terrorism and sabotage, while postponing their plans to join the organisation’s strongholds outside Morocco until a later date.”

The statement continues with “Investigations conducted thus far in the proceedings also revealed that the leader (emir) of this terrorist cell assigned roles among its members under the guidance and direction of the “Daesh” organisation.”

As determined by the authorities, this involved designating some members to select targets for attacks, while another team handled reconnaissance, surveillance, and monitoring. Meanwhile, another group was responsible for obtaining the materials and equipment required for sabotage.

Moroccan authorities said that, as part of the judicial investigation conducted by the BCIJ under the prosecutor’s office responsible for terrorism cases, “the adult detainees have been placed in custody and the minor has been placed under supervision.” Authorities added that the measures will allow investigators to further examine the suspects’ links to the African branch of “Daesh” in the Sahel and Sahara and assess the terrorist cell’s potential impact both within Morocco and internationally.

Atalayar and agencies, Maghrebi.org