Rabat – The Directorate General of National Security (DGSN) has “categorically” denied that its members celebrated the 62nd anniversary of its services by “publicly” showcasing the IWI Tavor X95, a bullpup assault rifle produced and designed by Israel Weapon Industries.
In a statement published on Friday, the DGSN said that a foreign news website published a report indicating that its members used Israeli-made firearms in parades celebrating the 62nd anniversary of the DGSN, held on May 17 in Kenitra.
DGSN’s statement referred to a report published by Mena Defense and reported by several Moroccan news outlets, including Le Desk and Yabiladi.
Two days ago, Mena Defense claimed that DGSN featured a parade “equipped with an Israeli IWI Tavor X95 9MM assault rifle.”
The source further claimed that Morocco is the first North African country “to publicly use” the Israeli firearms, adding that Morocco is “used to purchasing Israeli equipment.”
In response, DGSN has “categorically denied the news reported by some national media outlets.” The statement added that the firearms acquisition deals reported by Mena Defense“ were concluded with a specialized European company” in accordance with the provisions and requirements of relevant national legislation.
DGSN celebrated its anniversary in the presence of high-level officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Minister of the Interior Abdelouafi Laftit, General Director of DGSN Abdellatif Hammouchi, and foreign dignitaries, including US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Stephanie Miley.
The performances ranged from an equestrian show, drug-sniffing dogs jumping through flaming hoops, synchronized motorcycle riding, taekwondo, a ninja-like handcuffing exercise, thwarting of a hypothetical attempted assassination, and hypothetical forced entries against hostile combatants followed by a police chase.
