Morocco seized firearms including Kalashnikovs in the region of Errachidia, near the borders with Algeria, hidden by a recently dismantled cell loyal to the Islamic State taking orders from a chief in the Sahel.
Moroccan anti-terrorism agency BCIJ along with the national Police DGSN conducted a thorough search in the terrorist group’s rear base in Errachidia, where they found an arsenal including two kalashnikovs with two ammunition storage and feeding device, in addition to two rifles, six handguns, and bullet cartridges of different calibers.
The cell was dismantled on Feb 19 in the cities of Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taounat, Tangier, Azemmour, Guercif, Ouled Taima and Tamesna, near Rabat, with 12 individuals arrested in total.
Investigations show that the seized arms were supplied by the Sahel-based IS leader via smugglers, DGSN said in a statement.
On the day of the arrest, Morocco’s security forces seized ingredients used for making explosives while busting the cell, which planned attacks on Moroccan authorities, economic sites, and foreigners as well as arsonist acts.
