Morocco foiled terror plot, arrests 12 suspects

Moroccan security authorities on Wednesday announced the foiling of a ‘very dangerous terrorist plot’ and the arrest of 12 people in nine cities.

Based on accurate intelligence information, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) was able to foil a very dangerous terrorist plot against Morocco, which was commissioned and instigated by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel region,’ the General Directorate of National Security said, without naming him.

The security operation took place simultaneously in the cities of Laayoune (Sahara), Casablanca (west), Fez, Tamesna on the outskirts of Rabat, Tangier and Azemmour (north), Taounate and Gersif (east) and Ouled Tayma (centre), it said in a statement.

The security operation resulted in the arrest of ’12 extremists, aged between 18 and 40, who pledged allegiance to the ISIS terrorist group and were involved in preparing and coordinating the implementation of dangerous terrorist projects’, the statement said.