Morocco thwarts terrorist plot

RABAT - Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) thwarted early Sunday morning an imminent terrorist plot that was in the preparation phase for the physical implementation of bombing operations.

The operation and raid procedures were carried out by the Special Forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) in coordination with BCIJ security forces and the Air Force and the Judicial Center of the Royal Gendarmerie, according to a BCIJ statement.

The anti-terrorist operation resulted in the arrest of four extremists, including three brothers, linked to the terrorist organization of the Islamic State (ISIS), aged 26, 29, 31 and 35, who were active in the Had Soualem area in the Berrechid province, said the statement.

This security operation was carried out in two different locations, namely two residential houses located in the Al Omrane subdivision and the Ouled Jamaa area in the Had Soualem province, and was attended by explosive detection technicians, members of the Sino-Technical Squad in addition to a Royal Gendarmerie helicopter that combed the intervention sites from above, carrying snipers specialized in high-precision shooting from the Special Force of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance.

White weapons of various sizes, a large group of bottles containing chemical liquids and powders, bags containing a large quantity of chemical fertilizers, sulfur and coal powder, salts and suspicious materials, in addition to electrical wires, welding equipment and adhesive tapes, suspected of being used to prepare and manufacture explosives, were seized.

Intelligence investigations into this case began some time ago, after the DGST monitored a video in which the arrested suspect declared their "allegiance" to "ISIS", while pledging to commit imminent terrorist acts.

The investigation and tracking procedures revealed that the suspects, in one day, visited four DIY stores in the Had Soualem area, from which they purchased raw chemicals used in the manufacture of explosives, before storing them in one of their homes and preparing them to carry out experimental operations to manufacture explosive devices.

The same investigations and inquiries also revealed that two of the arrested brothers made reconnaissance visits in different places and at different times, during which they documented with photos and camera recordings many potential targets for their terrorist plans.

The intelligence information confirmed by the investigation procedures indicated that the suspects intended to carry out sabotage operations using explosive materials, before joining ISIS camps in the Sahel region.

The four arrested suspects were kept in police custody as part of the judicial investigation conducted by the FBI-like BCIJ under the supervision of the Public Prosecution Office in charge of terrorism cases, in order to uncover all possible links of this cell to regional and international terrorist organizations, as well as to identify and arrest all elements associated with this terrorist cell, concluded the statement.