Rabat – Juan Ignacio Zoido, the Spanish interior minister, has once again underscored the importance of Moroccan-Spanish anti-terrorism cooperation, after the arrest of four individuals suspected of disseminating propaganda supporting terrorist groups.
The first Moroccan-Spanish suspect was arrested in Tangier by the Moroccan authorities, while the three others were arrested in both Barcelona and Madrid. The anti-terrorist joint operation was led by Spanish and Moroccan authorities.
After the success of the operation, Zoido hailed the joint security cooperation between the two countries, asserting that “together we are stronger” in the face of terrorist groups.
Commenting on the arrested suspects, Zoido said that those arrested were aiming at radicalizing the largest possible number of internet users, reported Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
The Spanish official added that since 2015, the year in which the anti-terrorist alert has increased to level four, Spanish security elements managed to arrest 217 fighters in Spain.
Zoido paid an official visit to Rabat in August, during which he stressed the importance of joint cooperations between the two countries to fight against terrorism and extremism.
The Spanish minister said during his visit that “the close collaboration between Spain and Morocco in counterterrorism matters allowed the authorities to conduct 12 joint operations, which resulted in the arrest of 175 jihadists.”
He explained that the world can only make an end to the terror threat through unity and international cooperation.
“The alarming rapidity of radicalization imposes the need to work within the European Union in order to prevent and fight against terrorism,” he said.
The minister also pointed out that “information exchange and preventive intelligence should be strengthened,” adding that “it is also necessary to promote meetings of analysts and investigations on terrorist organizations.”
