Morocco-Spain joint security operation led to arrest of two ISIS sympathizers

Morocco and Spain have conducted a joint security operation that led to the arrest of two sympathizers of ISIS, one in Nador and one in the city of Lérida.

Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), acting on information provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), arrested on Wednesday a follower of ISIS organization, who was operating between Morocco and Spain, while Spain’s Guardia Civil arrested one member of the group in the city of Lérida, the DGST said in a press release.

The joint operation, which is part of ongoing efforts to combat terrorist threats and thwart plots that threaten the security and stability of Morocco and Spain, revealed that the two suspects were linked to elements affiliated with the “Daesh” organization in Syria, as part of preparations to carry out terrorist attacks in Europe, based on instructions from leaders of this terrorist organization, the press release said.

Investigations also confirmed that the two arrested individuals were in contact with an illegal immigration network to obtain false identity documents for use in carrying out their terrorist plans, it added.

The suspect arrested in Nador in connection with this case was taken into custody for further investigation under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in charge of terrorism cases, the press release emphasized.

This joint operation once again demonstrates the importance of security cooperation in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism between the Kingdom of Morocco and its allies, in a regional and international context marked by the exacerbation of terrorist threats.