Morocco Foils Advanced Terror Plots, Arrests 10 Suspected ISIS-Linked Extremists
Rabat, The Gulf Observer: Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) announced on Monday that it had successfully foiled several highly dangerous terrorist plots that were in advanced stages of preparation, leading to the arrest of 10 suspected extremists affiliated with ISIS during coordinated security operations across the country.
According to the BCIJ, the operation was launched based on intelligence provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST). The coordinated raids were carried out in the cities of Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, El Hajeb, Tetouan, Fquih Ben Salah, and Safi following extensive surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts by specialized security teams.
Authorities said the suspects were allegedly planning terrorist attacks targeting public safety and critical infrastructure while receiving logistical guidance and operational support from ISIS operatives based in the Sahel region.
Following the arrests, security personnel conducted searches of the suspects’ residences and recovered a range of materials allegedly intended for use in terrorist activities. The seized items included bladed weapons, military-style uniforms, extremist literature containing instructions for assembling explosive devices, digital equipment, and recordings featuring pledges of allegiance to ISIS along with explicit threats to carry out attacks in Morocco.
Investigators also searched a warehouse in the city of Inezgane, where they discovered a four-wheel-drive vehicle whose fuel tank had reportedly been modified to operate on butane gas. Authorities believe the vehicle was intended for use in either a suicide bombing or a vehicle-ramming attack targeting sensitive locations.
Morocco’s General Directorate of National Security deployed a specialized explosives disposal unit equipped with remotely operated robots and advanced detection technology to examine the vehicle and assess potential risks.
Additional searches uncovered several butane gas cylinders, pressure cookers packed with nails, electrical wiring, welding equipment, electrical circuit breakers, small light bulbs, and various chemical substances believed to be intended for the construction of improvised explosive devices.
According to investigators, the suspects had pledged allegiance to the leader of ISIS and were receiving instructions from senior operatives linked to the group’s Sahel-based network. The operatives allegedly directed the cell members to remain in Morocco and execute attacks domestically rather than travel to ISIS-controlled areas abroad.
The investigation further revealed that the alleged leader of the cell had assigned specific responsibilities to members, including selecting targets, conducting surveillance, reconnaissance, and monitoring potential attack sites.
Authorities placed the adult suspects in police custody, while one minor was placed under judicial supervision. Investigations are continuing to determine the full extent of the group’s connections with ISIS’s African branch in the Sahel and identify any additional national or international links associated with the network.
