Rabat – In a significant move to bolster regional security, the Saudi Council of Ministers, led by King Salman Ibn Abdelaziz, officially approved a cooperation agreement between the Saudi State Security and the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance of Morocco (DGST).
The agreement, which was initially signed on January 24 in Rabat, aims to enhance joint efforts in combating terrorism and its financing.
It was signed by Abdellatif Hammouchi, head of Morocco’s General Directorates of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), and Abdullah Fahad Salih Al-Owais, vice president of Saudi State Security, who was leading a security delegation to Morocco as part of a working visit.
The agreement covers the development of cooperation and security coordination in different areas related to the fight against terrorism and terrorist financing operations.
The agreement further cements the positive momentum in Morocco-Saudi relations and adds to Morocco’s image as a regional leader in counterterrorism operations.
The country has thwarted over 500 terrorist operations since 2002. As of 2021, Morocco dismantled 214 terrorist cells and brought 4,304 suspects to court. Around 88% of the dismantled cells were affiliated with ISIS.
As part of efforts to combat terrorism, Morocco struck multiple security cooperation agreements with international partners to tackle threats affecting the MENA region, particularly terrorism and other organized crime.
In October 2022, Hammouchi similarly received Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei of Abu Dhabi to discuss potential venues for cooperation against regional threats.
As a testament to its leading position in counterterrorism efforts, Qatar requested Morocco’s assistance and expertise to help provide security during the 2022 World Cup, which took place in the Gulf country at the end of 2022.
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