فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
In a new quality operation, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), based on accurate intelligence provided by the General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance (GDTS), managed on Wednesday morning to thwart a very dangerous terrorist plot targeting Morocco. Investigations revealed that the plot was directly commissioned and instigated by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel region.
Simultaneous execution and widespread arrests
The security operation was carried out simultaneously in several Moroccan cities, including Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taounat, Tangier, Azemmour, Gersif, Oulad Tayma and Tamsneh on the outskirts of Rabat. These operations resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals between the ages of 18 and 40, all of whom had pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist organization and were in the advanced stages of planning to carry out terrorist attacks inside the Kingdom.
Proactive security measures and precise interventions
The interventions were supervised by members of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance’s special force, which applied a security protocol specific to high-risk terrorist threats. This included the deployment of sniper teams, the use of climbing techniques, and the use of teams specialized in detecting explosives and trained dogs to comb the intervention sites. Residents of neighboring apartments were also evacuated for their safety, as a precautionary step to prevent any potential threat.
Explosives and dangerous weapons seized
Four modified gas bottles containing nails and chemicals, connected to electrical wires and remote detonators, were found in the home of one of the suspects in the Tamsneh area. An explosive device in the form of a pressure cooker filled with explosives was also found, in addition to white weapons, money in US dollars, and bags containing suspicious chemicals.
Direct logistical support from ISIS
Investigations revealed that the members of this terrorist cell were in close contact with an ISIS leader in the Sahel region, who is in charge of the so-called “external operations committee” tasked with expanding terrorist operations outside the Sahel region. This leader financed the cell, provided logistical support, and sent digital content explaining how to carry out terrorist operations.
Tight organizational structure and subversive goals
Investigations revealed that the cell adopted a precise organizational method inspired by ISIS directives, where members were divided into “coordinators” who conveyed orders, “those involved” in implementation, and the support and funding team that received funds directly from the terrorist organization without going through banking channels.
The cell planned to target security personnel by luring them, liquidating them and mutilating their bodies, attacking economic and security facilities, carrying out attacks against foreign interests, and environmental sabotage such as arson attacks.
Direct communication with ISIS and approval of operations
According to investigations, the cell members recently conducted reconnaissance tours to monitor target locations in several Moroccan cities, and obtained the “official blessing” from ISIS in the Sahel to carry out their terrorist plot. They received a video confirming the organization’s approval of the upcoming operations, which was seen as a signal to start the actual implementation.
Arrests and extensive investigations
By order of the public prosecutor specialized in terrorism cases, all those arrested were taken into custody to deepen the investigation and uncover the cell’s extensions, both inside Morocco and internationally, especially its relationship with the African branch of ISIS.
Morocco in the face of cross-border terrorism
This quality operation reaffirms the escalation of terrorist threats coming from the Sahel region, where extremist groups seek to export their terrorist operations to other regions, including Morocco.
The General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance had previously warned of the danger of these organizations, after dismantling several terrorist cells linked to ISIS and al-Qaeda in the past years, which received funding and guidance from their leaders in the Sahel, with promises of safe havens for them if they carried out terrorist attacks inside the Kingdom.
Security vigilance A key pillar in the fight against terrorism
This operation reaffirms the effectiveness of the proactive approach adopted by Morocco in the fight against terrorism, by dismantling terrorist cells before they carry out their subversive plans, and strengthening security and intelligence cooperation at the regional and international levels to preserve the security and stability of the Kingdom.
Source : Fes News Media
