Morocco Busts All-Female Terrorist Cell

Moroccan authorities have busted an all-female terrorist cell pledging allegiance to the so-called Daesh, the interior ministry said on Monday.

The operation led by Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) resulted in the arrest of 10 young women, suspected of plotting suicide bombings across the country, the interior ministry said in a statement.

The cell was active in recruiting and indoctrinating women in several parts of the country and tried to “obtain the chemicals used to make explosive belts” in order to carry out attacks on “vital installations,” according to the ministry.

The women were arrested in the cities of Kenitra, Tan Tan, Sidi Slimane, Sale, Tangier, Oulad Taima, Zagora and Sidi Taibi.

Some of the women had close relationship or family ties with Moroccan fighters who had joined Daesh in Iraq and Syria.

Since 2002, Morocco has dismantled more than 160 terrorist cells, of which 40 have been busted since 2013.