BCIJ Thwarts Highly Dangerous Terror Plot Against Morocco
Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) thwarted today a 'highly dangerous' terrorist plot seeking to undermine the country's stability.
A statement from the General Directorate of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST) indicates security services carried out the operation simultaneously in the cities of Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taza, Tangier, Azemmour, Jerada, Oulad Taima, and Tamsna on the outskirts of Rabat.
BCIJ services arrested 12 extremists aged between 18 and 40 years, it added.
The foiled terrorist operation was directly commissioned and incited by an ISIS leader operating in the African Sahel region, the statement detailed, noting that all the suspects involved pledged allegiance to the terrorist organization and were involved in preparing plans for dangerous terrorist operations.
BCIJ's raids were carried out by specialized units that met all specific security protocols to neutralize the terrorist threats. They also deployed sniper teams at different intervention points as well as climbing teams to storm buildings.
Bomb detection technicians and trained police also took part in the new operation, ensuring people's safety and security to avoid risks or threats targeting civilians.
In addition, BCIJ used sound grenades as a precaution to prevent any violent resistance from the suspects.
The units searched the homes of the suspects, leading to the seizure of explosive devices and four modified gas cylinders containing chemicals and connected to tubes and wires.
All of the materials were linked to mobile phones for remote detonation. In the same house in Tamnsa, police seized a pressure cooker containing nails and chemicals used in explosives, large knives, money in dollar currencies, and bags containing suspicious chemicals
Ongoing search of the terrorist cell members enabled police to seize two models of replica firearms, digital devices, as well as data protection masks and drawings featuring the ISIS manuscripts.
Members of the terrorist cell were contacting ISIS leaders in the Sahel in charge of terrorist operations, overseeing terrorist attacks outside the Sahel. Counterterrorism operation in Morocco
The ISIS leader is suspected of financing operations as well as supplying the cell with digital equipment while explaining how to carry out terrorist activities.
The cell 'adopted a highly organized structure, following orders from the same ISIS leader, the DGSN-DGST statement said. Their terror plans were directed exclusively to a 'coordination' team responsible for relaying these plans to the rest of the members either directly or through indirect channels,' it added.
Today's successful operation comes just a few weeks after BCIJ pulled off another high-profile counterterrorism raid near Casablanca.
BCIJ arrested on January 26 four ISIS-affiliated suspects and foiled a terrorist plot in Had Soualem, a town in Berrechid in the Casablanca-Settat region. Counterterrorism operation in Morocco
Those suspects were also planning explosive attacks to undermine Morocco's security and stability.
Members of the BCIJ and DGST jointly conducted the Casablanca raid alongside snipers and a helicopter force from the Royal Gendarmerie that carried out sweeps to ensure citizens' safety during the operation.
Authorities carried out raids in two houses, and arrested suspects aged 26,29,31, and 35. The statement noted that three of them are siblings. Counterterrorism operation in Morocco
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