Moroccan authorities announced Thursday the arrest of ten Isis members including a French national. This dangerous terror group was operating in the cities of Essaouira, Meknes, and Sidi Kacem.
Their commander was nabbed in a house located in the Atlantic coastal city of El Jadida. Armed with weapons and ammunitions, the members of this cell were planning to carry out a series of terrorist operations targeting strategic sites and sensitive institutions.
This operation led to the seizure of four automatic machine guns, four pistols, a rifle viewfinder and 13 tear gas grenades. Police officers also found six glass bottles containing hazardous chemicals and three other bottles containing substances used for making explosives, Isis flags, handcuffs and military uniforms.
The arrest of this cell comes following the release of videos wherein so-called Moroccan Isis fighters have threatened Morocco’s peace and security.
Last week, another terrorist cell composed of four elements was dismantled. These arrests show Morocco’s tireless war against jihadists. Moroccan intelligence and security services have dismantled 152 terrorist cells since 2002.
The Moroccan strategy to fight terrorism is based on a global approach including prevention, anticipation, education, rehabilitation, eradication of terrorism roots and international cooperation
This comprehensive and proactive counter-terrorism strategy has so far proven successful, in foiling deadly plots locally and internationally, making Morocco a model in the region.
