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Rabat – Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) announced the dismantling of a new ISIS-affiliated cell today, September 14, in Errachidia.
A statement from the BCIJ said that the cell members are aged between 21 and 37.
The security operation also led to the arrest of the main suspect or the “emir,” or leader of the cell, who was attempting to recruit more members.
The suspect also held prayers in his shop after prohibiting the members from going to mosques.
The shop served as a place where the leader of the cell was disseminating extremist and radical ideology.
The cell also chose their first victim as an “imminent target.”
BCIJ seized several alleged pieces of evidence, including handwritten and printed manuscripts “glorifying” terror operations. The seized material also included “military-like” uniforms.
According to BCIJ, the members of the cell were also sharing digital contents with an “extremist payload, such as those documenting suicide operations” by ISIS in several regions across the world.
The operation comes as part of a collaboration between BCIJ, the General Directorate of National Security (DGSN), and the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
The BCIJ placed the suspects in custody, pending the launch of an investigation to unveil local and international links of the dismantled cell. The investigation also seeks to uncover all of the cell’s schemes and operation, as well as to arrest possible accomplices that are affiliated with the terror organization.
BCIJ warned that the dismantling of the new terror cell represents the consequences of the terror threat caused by extremist organizations.
Dismantling the terror cell stands as a reminder of the persistence of terrorist threats in Morocco, especially after a number of extremist organizations have vowed to commit terror crimes to threaten public order and the safety of the citizens.
Morocco has carried out similar operations and has dismantled several terror cells throughout the years. The BCIJ, along with Morocco’s other security services, has averted several threats aimed at undermining the country, and has continued to safeguard the safety of its citizens.
One of the operations took place in June in the Marrakech-Safi region.
The members of the cell were plotting terror acts across Morocco and were planning to join ISIS in Sahel, a region frequently described as a breeding ground for terror cells.
