06/07/2026
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06/07/2026
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RABAT, Jul 6: Moroccan security forces have foiled what authorities described as a major ISIS-linked terrorist plot and arrested 10 suspects during coordinated raids across seven cities, preventing what officials said could have been devastating attacks targeting people, property and critical infrastructure.
The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), operating under Morocco's General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, announced on Monday that the operation dismantled a terrorist cell allegedly linked to the ISIS branch operating in the Sahel region of West Africa.
The suspects were arrested in simultaneous security operations in Agadir, Taroudant, Tetouan, El Hajeb, Fquih Ben Salah, Casablanca and Safi. Among those detained were a former terrorism convict and a minor.
According to investigators, the suspects had received direct instructions from senior ISIS-Sahel leaders to remain inside Morocco and carry out attacks rather than travel abroad to join the group's strongholds.
Security officials said searches of the suspects' properties uncovered military-style clothing, extremist literature containing detailed instructions for manufacturing explosive devices, digital storage media, and propaganda materials. Investigators also seized two video recordings in which suspects allegedly pledged allegiance to ISIS and threatened attacks inside Morocco.
Authorities recovered bladed weapons and other equipment believed to have been intended for use in the planned attacks.
One of the most alarming discoveries was made in the city of Inezgane, where investigators found a sport utility vehicle that had been secretly modified to run on butane gas. Officials believe the vehicle was being prepared for use in either a suicide bombing or a vehicle-ramming attack targeting sensitive sites.
Morocco's prosecutor overseeing terrorism cases has launched a judicial investigation into the cell. Adult suspects have been placed in custody, while the minor remains under judicial supervision as investigators seek to determine the group's full network, its links to ISIS's Sahel affiliate, and any domestic or international accomplices.
The ISIS affiliate in the Sahel is regarded as one of the extremist group's most active branches in West Africa and has claimed responsibility for numerous deadly attacks across the region.
Moroccan authorities regularly announce the dismantling of suspected extremist networks, saying security forces have broken up more than 200 terrorist cells since 2003 as part of the country's long-running counterterrorism efforts.
