Morocco thwarts terror plot by cell linked to Islamic State in the Sahel
The discovery of the 12-member cell and what officials called an "imminent dangerous terrorist plot" underscores the expanding ambitions of extremist groups in the region.
Authorities said the suspects had planned to detonate bombs remotely, but did not give details of their motives or wider plot. Images released by officials showed weapons stockpiles found during police raids, IS flags, and thousands of dollars of cash.
"Morocco remains a major target in the agenda of all terrorist organisations operating in the Sahel," Habboub Cherkaoui, the head of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, said on Monday.
Militant groups linked to IS and al-Qaeda have been expanding their presence in the Sahel, capitalising on instability in countries including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Since French troops began withdrawing from the region in 2022, IS in the Sahel has launched deadly campaigns and taken control of lucrative transit routes.
Authorities said the Morocco-based cell called itself the "Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb" and took direction from IS in the Sahel's commanders.
More than a year of tracking done by Moroccan officials showed that these commanders worked to recruit, arm and direct sympathisers to carry out attacks in the country.
Investigators said the 12 suspects, aged 18 to 40, were arrested in nine different cities, including Casablanca, Fez and Tangier. They had been receiving orders from the Libyan commander Abderrahmane Sahraoui, who oversees IS's operations outside the Sahel, according to officials.
The suspects have not yet been charged under Morocco's anti-terrorism laws.
Following the raids last week, authorities located a cache of weapons in the desert near Morocco's border with Algeria, including firearms and ammunition wrapped in newspapers printed in Mali in late January.
Cherkaoui said the raids revealed that IS in the Sahel aimed to expand and establish operations in Morocco or recruit Moroccans to fight abroad, including in Somalia.
He said the groups "do not hide their desire to target Morocco through propaganda platforms" and said the nation's aggressive counterterrorism posture made it a target.
The last jihadist attack in Morocco was in 2023, when three individuals loyal to IS killed a policeman in Casablanca.
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