Morocco, Spain Dismantle Terrorist Cell

Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) and Spanish National Police have dismantled a four-member terrorist cell this Wednesday (Dec.4).

The four individuals were arrested during a joint operation with the Spanish National Police. Three suspects, aged between 24 and 39, were arrested in Ferkhana and Bni Nsar in the Northeastern province of Nador. One of them is the brother of a jihadist fighter in the Syrian-Iraqi zone, the Ministry of the Interior said in a statement.

The dismantling of the cell took place at the same time the cell’s leader was arrested on the outskirts of the Spanish capital, Madrid.

The statement added that preliminary investigations confirmed that the cell’s members were engaged in campaigns promoting and praising ISIS’ extremist ideology. They were also threatening retaliation attacks after the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

According to the Interior Ministry statement, the terrorists had been holding meetings to follow the current situation in the Syria-Iraq arena, as well as planning to carry out terrorist operations in response to the repeated calls of ISIS leaders to target certain countries.

The operation resulted in the seizure of electronic equipment, mobile phones, masks, books, and manuscripts of extremist ideology.

The joint security operation comes amid the escalating terrorist threats in Morocco and Spain, added the statement.

The statement pointed out that ISIS followers are strengthening their activities outside the hotbeds of tension by launching incitement campaigns directed to ISIS followers in various countries.

The statement concluded that the suspects will be brought to justice immediately after the completion of the investigation process.

Morocco and Spain are strong allies in combatting terrorism. The two countries share intelligence on terrorist activities and other cross-border crimes.

In September 2018, then Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell said that Morocco-Spain cooperation “is an example to follow for other countries,” as the globe struggles to confront terrorist movements at home and abroad.

Morocco cooperates on counterterrorism with other countries, including the USA and France.