By Ebi Kesiena
Moroccan authorities have successfully dismantled a terrorist cell linked to the Islamic State in the Sahel (EIS), thwarting a major attack planned by radicalized elements.
The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) announced that the operation, which took place on Wednesday, resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects involved in planning serious terrorist acts.
The prevented attack was orchestrated under the direct influence of a leader from the Islamic State’s operations in the Sahel region. A simultaneous security operation across multiple cities, including El Laâyoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taza, Tangier, and Azemmour, led to the arrest of the 12 extremists, aged 18 to 40, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS.
The suspects were found to be actively preparing coordinated terrorist attacks, including kidnappings, summary executions of security forces, attacks on economic and security infrastructures, targeting foreign interests in Morocco, and deliberate environmental destruction, including arson.
The operation was conducted by special forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), using counter-terrorism protocols. Searches at the suspects’ residences uncovered explosives, bladed weapons, U.S. dollars, chemical substances, night-vision goggles, firearms replicas, encrypted electronic devices, and ISIS-related documents.
Moroccan intelligence confirmed that the terrorist cell operated under the direct orders of a senior leader of the Islamic State in the Sahel, responsible for exporting terrorist activities outside the region.
The suspects remain in custody for further investigations into their international connections, particularly with the African branch of ISIS.
