Rabat – Following the Barcelona terror attacks, numerous western media outlets blamed Morocco, portraying it as a “breeding ground” for terrorism. However, Spanish Minister of Interior Juan Ignacio Zoido has affirmed that while the perpetrators of the attacks were Moroccans, they were raised and educated in Spain.
During his official visit to Rabat, Zoido explained that “11 out of 12 suspects involved in the Barcelona and Cambrils terror attacks were born in Morocco, while the 12th suspect was born in Spain to Moroccan parents.”
The minister added that the terrorists grew up and received their education in Spain after
leaving Morocco at a young age.
“It is very clear that no part of the world is immune from the threat of terrorism,” he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Spanish minister met with Morocco’s Minister of Interior, Abdelouafi Laftit, in order to discuss the results of investigations so far into the Barcelona terrorist attacks.
During the visit, Zoido stressed the importance of international unity and cooperation in
fighting terrorism, “which aims to destroy our way of life, our freedom, our democracy and the free exercise of our rights.”
The Spanish official also praised the security cooperation between the two countries “that
deliver practical results on the ground.”
Following the Barcelona terror incidents, which saw 15 people killed in an operation that was planned and conducted by a group of Moroccans, King Mohammed VI asked the Moroccan government to strengthen the already-strong security cooperation between Morocco and Spain.
Since June 2015, Morocco and Spain have carried out several joint counter-terrorism
operations, which have led to the arrest of more than 175 suspects
