logo
Morocco uncovers suspected arms cache linked to dismantled ISIS-linked cell

Morocco uncovers suspected arms cache linked to dismantled ISIS-linked cell

Ya Biladi21-02-2025

Investigations by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) into a dismantled ISIS-linked terrorist cell in the Sahel have uncovered evidence of a mountainous area suspected of being used as a base to store weapons and ammunition for planned attacks.
Using technical expertise and satellite geolocation, authorities analyzed coordinates and geographical data seized during the investigation. This led to the identification of the suspected site in the province of Errachidia, specifically on the eastern bank of Oued Guir at «Tal Mzil», in the commune and Caïdat of Oued El Naam, in the Boudenib region, near the Kingdom's eastern border, according to a press release from the Pôle DGSN-DGST.
Field inspections and geographical sweeps confirmed that the site is located at the foot of a rocky hill with difficult, unpaved access, necessitating the deployment of specialized logistical equipment to facilitate access and conduct the required searches and inspections.
In accordance with security protocols for terrorist threats—particularly in locations suspected of storing weapons and explosives—the BCIJ utilized specialized explosive-detection canine units, metal detectors, substance identification devices, explosive-detection robots, and an X-ray scanner.
Search and combing operations, which lasted over three hours, uncovered a cache of weapons and ammunition buried in a remote area at the base of the rocky hill. The cache was concealed in plastic bags and wrapped in Malian newspapers, including weeklies dated January 27, 2025.
The seized weapons included a Kalashnikov rifle with two ammunition magazines, two additional rifles, ten pistols of various calibers, and a large quantity of cartridges and bullets.
The weapons and ammunition were carefully documented and sealed before being sent to the Laboratoire National de la Police Scientifique for ballistic and forensic analysis.
Investigations thus far indicate that the weapons were supplied by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel, responsible for external operations. These arms were transported through illicit trafficking networks before being hidden at the logistical base. The Daech leader then transmitted the location's coordinates to the «coordinators» of the terrorist cell dismantled on Wednesday, instructing them to retrieve the weapons for use in planned attacks.
Meanwhile, BCIJ investigations are ongoing, under the supervision of the relevant public prosecutor's office, to uncover the full extent of the terrorist cell's network and its links to Daech's African branch in the Sahel.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Morocco to Deploy Signal Jammers to Combat Cheating in Baccalaureate Exams
Morocco to Deploy Signal Jammers to Combat Cheating in Baccalaureate Exams

Morocco World

time10 hours ago

  • Morocco World

Morocco to Deploy Signal Jammers to Combat Cheating in Baccalaureate Exams

Doha – Education Minister Mohamed Saïd Berrada announced Tuesday that his department plans to implement electronic solutions to combat cheating in baccalaureate examinations. The ministry is particularly looking at mobile phone jamming technology starting next academic year. Speaking at an oral questions session in the Chamber of Councilors, Berrada explained that cheating methods have become increasingly sophisticated. 'Some phones used are as small as a credit card, easy to conceal in a pocket, and the earpieces are almost invisible,' he said, pointing out the growing difficulty in identifying cheaters. To address this challenge, the ministry is exploring two approaches: either implementing electronic detection methods for these devices or neutralizing them through jammers that prevent their use during exams. During the May 2025 exam session, the ministry recorded 2,769 cases of cheating, a 12% decrease compared to the previous year. 'This figure remains concerning, even if it is relatively low compared to the approximately 495,395 candidates,' Berrada noted, adding that the majority of cases involved independent candidates. Of the total candidates, 67% came from public education institutions, 11% from private schools, and 22% were independent candidates. According to the minister, this year saw an increase of 2,000 candidates compared to 2024. The minister commended the smooth running of this year's regular baccalaureate session, ensuring that the tests were conducted under normal conditions. The results will be announced on Friday, June 14. He also noted the return to a stable educational framework after disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and social movements in the education sector. This allowed for a return to reference frameworks covering the entire school curriculum. Among the key innovations was the adoption of anonymous electronic coding of exam papers, which aims to guarantee the integrity of examinations, reduce errors, and ensure rigorous day-to-day monitoring while preventing diploma falsification. According to Berrada, the digitization of procedures significantly strengthens the credibility of the baccalaureate. In terms of participation, 97% of enrolled students sat for the exams, compared to 64% of independent candidates. The session also saw the participation of 2,145 candidates with disabilities, of whom 538 benefited from specially arranged tests. Tailored subjects were also prepared for candidates from unstable countries such as Syria, for some African students, for sick candidates in hospitals, and for inmates. Special arrangements were made for approximately 2,000 candidates from correctional facilities. In total, more than 500 different subjects were developed for this session, a major logistical challenge. The ministry mobilized important human and logistical resources, with 50,000 teachers supervising the exams and 40,300 teachers correcting approximately 3.9 million exam papers. About 30,000 examination rooms were equipped in more than 2,000 educational institutions. To ensure organizational quality, examination venues were carefully selected and equipped with surveillance cameras. Coordination was also established with security services to secure the transport of exam materials and safeguard examination and correction centers. The ministry also prepared an emergency plan in coordination with territorial authorities in case of any unexpected events. 'The absence of leaks despite this volume testifies to the rigor of the system put in place by the ministry year after year,' concluded the minister. Read also: DGSN Arrests 118 for Baccalaureate Exam Cheating in Morocco Tags: BaccalaureateBaccalaureate ExamsMoroccan baccalaureate exams

Spain faces terror threat from Sahrawis linked to Tindouf camps
Spain faces terror threat from Sahrawis linked to Tindouf camps

Ya Biladi

time2 days ago

  • Ya Biladi

Spain faces terror threat from Sahrawis linked to Tindouf camps

Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps involved in terrorist groups operating in the Sahel pose a serious threat to Spain, a country many of them know well. «According to intelligence sources, around a dozen Sahrawis born in the Tindouf camps (Algeria) took part in the ' Holidays in Peace ' program, which allows children to spend summers in Spain, away from the harsh conditions of the desert and refugee camps. This is why they speak fluent Spanish», reported La Vanguardia on Sunday, June 8. Intelligence services have also raised concerns about the growing presence of Polisario-linked individuals in leadership roles within terrorist organizations in the Sahel, such as the Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (GSIM) and the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO). These warnings come just three days after Spanish authorities arrested two Sahrawis from the Tindouf camps on suspicion of terrorist activity in Spain. Before being killed by French forces in Mali in 2021, Adnane Abou Walid al-Sahraoui recruited dozens of youths from the Tindouf camps into his group, the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. Among them was Abou Houzeifa, also known as Hugo, who was killed by the Malian army in April 2024. The La Vanguardia article has sparked outrage among Polisario supporters in Spain. «We express our deep concern and condemnation over the publication of articles on Sunday, June 8, by Enric Juliana and Joaquín Vera, which—under the guise of geopolitical analysis—uncritically echo the official Moroccan narrative and a discourse of fear, effectively criminalizing the Sahrawi cause», wrote a Polisario-affiliated media outlet.

Report Suggests Algeria's Hacking Group Targeted Moroccan Notaries Platform, Not ANCFCC
Report Suggests Algeria's Hacking Group Targeted Moroccan Notaries Platform, Not ANCFCC

Morocco World

time03-06-2025

  • Morocco World

Report Suggests Algeria's Hacking Group Targeted Moroccan Notaries Platform, Not ANCFCC

Rabat – Hacking attacks against Moroccan institutional databases sparked debate and concern among citizens and experts, especially with the latest wave of reports that alleged a breach instigated by the Algerian group, Jabaroot DZ. Reports suggested that the Algerian group targeted Morocco's National Agency for Land Registry, known as ANCFCC. The reports came after the group claimed to have accessed over four terabytes of land-related data. However, sources from the land registry agency denied that it is the agency's system that was directly targeted, clarifying that the breach involved a notaries' platform, Tawtik, which is managed independently. Le360 quoted an authorized source from ANFCC, who said that no intrusion or data leak has been detected in its information system. Le360 said the Algerian hacking group may have access to data on the notaries' platform by 'exploiting vulnerabilities in inadequately protected computers.' The Moroccan agency sent a letter to notaries warning them about cybersecurity risks, urging them to take all necessary precautions. It also temporarily suspended access to its platform in April and closed the platform entirely to all professionals, reverting to paper-based filling and in-person payments at physical counters to avoid any security breaches. This came when the same group claimed responsibility for the hacking of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) database. Several documents have gone viral online, with experts warning citizens not to open the files as they could include security threats that could target their data. Earlier this year, the same group claimed responsibility for the hacking of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) database. The intrusion exposed personal data of nearly 2 million Moroccan employees across 500,000 businesses registered with the Moroccan social security. Morocco has been pledging to strengthen its efforts to ensure strong cybersecurity to tackle similar crises. In April, cybersecurity giant Kaspersky said Morocco ranks among Africa's most frequently targeted countries for digital attacks. The ranking places Morocco third among African countries facing web-based threats, with 12.6 million attack attempts documented in 2024. Kenya tops the list with nearly 20 million incidents, while South Africa follows with approximately 17 million. Web threats targeting African businesses jumped 1.2% compared to 2023, with over 131.5 million total threats detected regionwide this year. In-device threats climbed 4% in African organizations since 2024. Tags: Africa CybersecurityCybersecurity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store