Rabata – The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) held a press conference today at its Sale headquarters on the recently significant foiled terrorist plot in Had Soualem, a town in Berrechid in the Casablanca-Settat region.
The “Three Brothers Cell,” which involved four members – three brothers and another suspect – had planned attacks on sensitive security facilities and civilian targets, including a supermarket frequented by foreigners, BCIJ’s head Haboub Cherkaoui revealed at a press conference today.
The ongoing investigation exposed the cell’s broad preparation, which included conducting surveillance operations and creating detailed sketches of potential targets, the BCIJ head added.
To meticulously identify their targets, the suspects systematically photographed various facilities from multiple angles, mapped access itineraries to their intended targets, and sketched escape plans.
In terms of logistics, the cell members acquired dual-use chemical materials and equipment that could be used in manufacturing explosives. To avoid detection, they deliberately spread out their purchases across multiple pharmacies and other stores.
The ongoing investigation revealed that the cell members had also stockpiled knives of various sizes. Officials outlined that the group had been receiving video instructions from ISIS leadership in the Sahel region, including footage of executions and beheadings, which were meant to serve as guidance for their planned operations.
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Details of the Operation
In a meticulously planned two-intervention counter-terrorism operation specialized security forces of Morocco’s BCIJ strategically apprehended last Sunday four ISIS-affiliated suspects.
The operation saw advanced tactical approaches employed in the two-phase mission involving snipers and a Royal Gendarmerie helicopter to secure the area, reflecting the careful joint work and collaboration of Morocco’s security forces.
The special forces used K-9 units trained in explosive detection to search the first house systematically.
The first phase led to the confiscating of knives, a large number of bottles containing chemical liquids and powders, as well as chemical fertilizers, sulfur, charcoal powder, and salts among several other substances.
BCIJ’s first phase also led to arresting three individuals in the initial phase, then successfully detaining a fourth suspect in the subsequent stage on the same day.
The operation demonstrates sophisticated law enforcement strategies targeting potential terrorist networks in the country.
Onlookers followed the intervention as BCIJ’s apprehended the four suspects.
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New Recruiting Strategy in Terrorism
Officials emphasized that one of the most concerning aspects of this case is the growing trend of family-based recruitment as a pathway to extremism.
Investigating the “Three Brothers Cell” case, investigators revealed that the eldest brother had successfully brainwashed his younger siblings, demonstrating how family ties can be exploited as a recruitment mechanism for extremists, according to Cherkaoui.
Security experts at the conference warned that terrorist organizations are increasingly pushing their supporters to recruit family members, pointing to the growing threat that is particularly challenging to counter terrorist threats.
They also warned of the growing use of digital platforms in recruiting and sharing guides to prepare extremists who will later execute terrorist attacks.
The officials also said that the low education levels of the arrested reflect a strategy by the terrorist organizations that target illiterate people, taking advantage of taking Quranic verses out of their context to mobilize extremists.
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Broader Regional Connections
The latest foiled cell prompted Moroccan authorities to recall the growing concerns about the Sahel region’s emergence as a significant security threat to Morocco.
The group members had planned to join ISIS camps in the Sahel region after fulfilling their attack operations in Morocco, Haboub said, warning of regional implications on Morocco’s stability.
The eldest brother, of the three brothers, had even intended to take his five children to the area, which is raising concerns over the regional threat of the Sahel region, according to officials.
Statistics presented at the press conference indicated that Moroccan authorities have dismantled more than 40 terrorist cells with solid connections to either Al-Qaeda or ISIS branches in the African Sahel.
Since late 2022, approximately 130 Moroccan extremists have departed for jihadi theaters in Somalia and the Sahel region, according to the same official data.
The Director General of Territory Surveillance (DGST) had previously cautioned the international community about Al-Qaeda’s growing influence in the Sahel region, predicting its transformation into a regional hub for international terrorist organizations, noted Charkaoui.
Regional Context
Cherkaoui also noted broader regional developments, pointing to several Moroccan fighters who joined various groups – including Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa, and ISIS, which have attempted to expand their groups’ activities into Morocco.
Some have assumed leadership positions, while others have been involved in serious terrorist operations, including a recent attack on a Somali military barracks on December 31, 2024, which involved two Moroccan suicide bombers.
The series of operations, including the latest, are proof of Morocco’s ongoing efforts to combat terrorist threats, with particular attention to the growing influence of Sahel-based organizations and their attempts to establish operational networks within the country.
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Morocco’s International Cooperation in Counter-Terrorism
The North African country is renowned for its intensified efforts to combat terrorism and terrorist threats.
Morocco’s counterterrorism efforts continue to earn international recognition, with key global partners highlighting the country’s strategic role in regional security.
The United States State Department recently reaffirmed Morocco’s position as a “vital partner” in regional security matters, specifically citing their shared vision for stability across the Middle East and North Africa.
This endorsement follows the US’s 2023 country report on terrorism, which praised Morocco’s comprehensive approach to countering violent extremism through operations, regional partnerships, and anti-radicalization programs.
Recent diplomatic engagements underscore Morocco’s multilateral approach to security cooperation. In a notable development, Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), met earlier this month with Spanish General Commissioner for Information Javier Antonio Susin Bercero in Rabat.
Their discussions focused on evolving terrorist threats, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara regions, where Morocco has consistently warned about the growing influence of terrorist groups.
Morocco’s security strategy has also drawn praise from Interpol, with Interpol’s Director of Anti-Terrorism Greg Hinds commending Morocco’s capabilities during the World Congress on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats in Marrakech.
Hinds specifically noted Morocco’s dual commitment to strengthening both national responses and regional security infrastructure, describing the country as a “leading” force in regional counterterrorism efforts.
As the North African country is preparing to host two prestigious football competitions, AFCON 2025 and FIFA World Cup 2030, officials said today that Morocco is intensifying efforts to secure the proceedings of these competitions at the highest level.
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