Terrorist cell loyal to ISIS dismantled in Eastern Morocco

Moroccan authorities announced on Tuesday the dismantling of a terrorist cell loyal to the terrorist organization “Daesh” in the East of the country.

According to the Moroccan news agency, security forces dismantled an ISIS-affiliated terrorist cell comprised of three individuals with extremist ideologies operating in Errachidia.

“This comes in the context of concerted efforts by security services to neutralize the dangers of the terrorist threat and prevent extremist organizations from reaching the stage of materializing their plans and projects that threaten the security of the homeland and its citizens,” it said.

The security operation “led to the arrest of the main suspect, the alleged emir of this terrorist cell”, it said.

Two members of the cell were arrested, and search operations at the suspects homes and a shop owned by one of them “seized information equipment, storage memory, mobile phones, paramilitary clothes, several handwritten manuscripts and Internet printed pieces inciting and glorifying terrorist operations, as well as posters that speak of the so-called Khorassan province as a new base for fighting”.

“According to the research, investigations, and tracing conducted on the members of this terrorist cell, the alleged emir was active in recruiting and attracting followers of traditional religious currents, and used his commercial shop, which is located adjacent to vital and strategic facilities, as a place of worship after his prohibition to pray in mosques, as a haven for instilling extremist ideology among followers, and as a space for planning crimes against people with a terrorist background,” it said. “One of the victims was selected as an imminent target for murder because of his work in facilities of public benefit.”

”Investigations are under way to uncover the cell’s local and international links, identify all its subversive plans and projects and arrest anyone found to be involved in extremist activities”, it said.

“From time to time, Morocco announces the dismantling of a terrorist cell, reflecting the readiness of Moroccan security institutions to address these threats before they occur.”