Moroccan authorities dismantled, Wednesday, a terrorist cell linked to ISIS in the Sahel, arresting 12 suspects across multiple cities and seizing explosive materials. The group had planned attacks on security forces, economic sites, and foreign interests with direct support from a senior ISIS leader. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ), acting on precise intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), successfully foiled a major terrorist plot in Morocco on Wednesday morning. The attack was planned and orchestrated by a senior leader of the terrorist organization ISIS in the Sahel region. The security operation was carried out simultaneously in Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taounate, Tangier, Azemmour, Jersif, Oulad Tayma, and Tamsna, on the outskirts of Rabat. Authorities arrested 12 extremists, aged 18 to 40, who had pledged allegiance to ISIS and were actively preparing and coordinating attacks, according to a DGST statement. Special forces from the DGST led the raids, following strict security protocols for high-risk terrorist threats. Snipers were deployed at intervention sites to neutralize potential resistance, while specialized teams handled explosives detection and crime scene sweeps. Residents near the targeted locations were evacuated as a precaution. During the arrests, security forces used stun grenades to prevent any violent resistance. Searches of the suspects' homes uncovered explosive devices under construction in Tamsna, including four modified gas canisters filled with nails and chemicals, rigged with pipes, electrical wiring, and mobile phone triggers for remote detonation. Authorities also seized a pressure cooker containing explosive materials, a large collection of bladed weapons, U.S. dollar cash, and several bags of suspicious chemicals. Additional searches revealed a remote viewing scope, imitation firearms, digital storage devices, an ISIS-branded wall drawing, and handwritten plans detailing potential targets. Intelligence and field investigations indicate that the terrorist cell was directly linked to an ISIS commander in the Sahel, who heads the «external operations» unit responsible for exporting attacks beyond the region. This leader provided financial and logistical support, along with instructional content on executing terrorist operations. The investigation revealed a structured hierarchy within the cell, operating under the ISIS leader's instructions. Plans were communicated through designated «coordinators» before reaching operatives responsible for carrying out attacks. A separate unit handled financing, receiving funds directly from ISIS outside traditional banking networks. The cell's planned attacks included kidnapping and killing security personnel, targeting key economic and security sites, attacking foreign interests in Morocco, and committing acts of environmental terrorism, such as deliberately setting fires. Investigators found that the group had recently conducted reconnaissance missions to identify targets in multiple cities. They had also received official ISIS approval for their plans, marked by a recorded message encouraging them to proceed. Under the supervision of the Public Prosecutor specializing in terrorism cases, all suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue to uncover their links to ISIS in the Sahel and any potential national or international connections. This operation highlights the growing terrorist threat posed by ISIS factions in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region. Moroccan authorities have previously warned international security partners about the increasing risks from extremist groups in the region, which continue to finance, train, and support cells planning attacks beyond their borders.
