Belgian General Commends Morocco as Key Player in Countering Sahel Terrorism Threats
Rabat – Morocco's counterterrorism capabilities continue to attract international endorsement.
Strategic advisor to the Commissioner General of the Belgian Federal Police Saad Amrani has described the North African country's expertise in combating terrorist threats as 'unique and distinctive,' particularly in the face of growing challenges from the Sahel region.
Amrani described Morocco's approach to counterterrorism as standing among the most effective worldwide, combining a careful balance of judicial, social, and religious elements.
His comments come following the recent successful operation by Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) that foiled a 'highly dangerous' terrorist plot seeking to undermine the country's stability.
The operation demonstrated Morocco's sophisticated intelligence capabilities and led to thwarting a terrorist plan reportedly orchestrated by a prominent ISIS leader in the Sahel region.
The BCIJ's investigation revealed a logistical support base for weapons and ammunition in a mountainous area intended for the terrorist cell.
BCIJ seized firearms including two Kalashnikov rifles, two shotguns, ten individual handguns of different types, a large quantity of cartridges, and ammunition of different calibers.
Amrani noted that 'Unlike some countries, Morocco has addressed the religious aspect of counter-terrorism with intelligence and depth.'
Morocco's counterterrorism efforts are particularly significant given the mounting terrorist activity in the Sahel region.
According to the Global Terrorism Index, 48 percent of worldwide terrorist attacks occur in the Sahel, positioning Morocco at the frontline of this security challenge due to its geographic location.
Morocco's success lies in its development of precise knowledge about terrorist movements and distinguished analytical capabilities.
'The collection, processing, and sharing of information are crucial elements in this type of approach,' Amrani added, pointing out that Moroccan agencies have 'skillfully managed the challenge of information sharing, achieving tangible results.'
Morocco's expertise has become increasingly invaluable for international security cooperation. Given its unique experience in successfully handling terrorist threats, Amrani stressed the importance of Morocco sharing its model's lessons with other countries, particularly European nations.
The ongoing threat in the Sahel remains significant, with radical ideological narratives continuing to serve as primary tools for terrorist groups to expand their operational reach.
'The radical ideological offering remains present and, along with other factors, supports terrorist movements and enables their spread across different operational theaters,' Amrani warned.
BCIJ's latest operation led to the arrest of 12 suspects aged between 18 and 40 in simultaneous operations in the cities of Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taza, Tangier, Azzemmour, Oulad Teima, and Tamsna on the outskirts of Rabat.
As the Sahel region faces mounting security challenges, Morocco's comprehensive counterterrorism strategy, combining security measures with social and religious approaches, offers valuable insights for global efforts to combat extremism.
Amrani concluded with a note of caution: 'We must remain vigilant and quick in our response to these threats.' Tags: BCIJ and ISISBCIJ MoroccoCounterterrorismmorocco counterterrorism
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Morocco World
5 hours ago
- Morocco World
Thousands Prepare for Peaceful Global March to Gaza on June 15
Rabat – Activists, health workers, and everyday citizens from around the world are preparing for a massive peaceful march to the Rafah border crossing in Egypt on June 15. Their goal is to demand urgent humanitarian access to Gaza, where aid has been blocked for over three months. Called the Global March to Gaza, the movement brings together people from more than 35 countries. Delegations will begin gathering in Cairo on June 12, before traveling to the town of al-Arish in northern Sinai. From there, they will march to Rafah, just across the border from Gaza. The organizers say the action is completely peaceful, civilian-led, and non-political. It is supported by over 150 NGOs, doctors, lawyers, and volunteers. Participants include people of all ages and backgrounds, from youth to elders. 'You are not forgotten. We are coming. From all over the world, we walk for you,' say the organizers. The marchers have five key demands: An immediate ceasefire, the opening of the Gaza borders permanently, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, full reconstruction of Gaza, and an end to Israeli colonization of the West Bank. According to Huseyin Durmaz, a Turkish physician involved in the campaign, the march is a direct response to the serious health and humanitarian crisis in Gaza due to Israel's relentless genocide. He criticized international organizations for failing to ensure the delivery of life-saving aid. 'This time we will march to the Rafah border crossing to remind international institutions of their duties and to put pressure on them so that the situation in Gaza can end and be opened to humanitarian aid,' Durmaz said. The march is set to unfold over several days, with participants arriving in Cairo and traveling to al-Arish on June 12. The following day, the march to Rafah would begin, with rallies and a major protest at the border on June 14 and 15. June 15 will be the main day of global action and media coverage, with peaceful tent protests continuing near Rafah on June 16 and 20. The organizers have reached out to Egyptian authorities to request formal permission, but it is unclear if they have received a response. Despite that, they emphasize that they do not plan to force the border, as some rumors have claimed. 'Contrary to rumors, the organizers clearly reject any idea of 'forcing the border.' The march is explicitly non-violent and aims to pressure governments via international visibility,' organizers said. North African solidarity in focus Tunisia and Algeria in particular have voiced that they are deploying large delegations and caravans to traverse North Africa to arrive in Cairo. The Tunisian caravan has already left with the Algerian participants in tow, and a Moroccan delegation has also voiced their support. Participants are gathering and talking on Telegram channels to organize everything from passports, visas to accommodation for this global mass gathering of solidarity. Since March 2, all border crossings into Gaza have been completely shut, blocking the delivery of food, water, and medicine. Aid agencies say this has created a famine and worsened the suffering of civilians, especially children and the elderly. Though Israel has recently allowed limited aid to enter Gaza, it is nowhere near enough to cover the needs of the population. Tags: GazaIsraelpalestine aid
Morocco World
9 hours ago
- Morocco World
Algeria's Jabaroot Targets Justice Ministry in Latest Cyberattack on Moroccan Institutions
Rabat – The Algerian hacker group Jabaroot has claimed responsibility for a new cyberattack targeting Morocco's Ministry of Justice, in what appears to be the latest in a string of breaches against state institutions. In a statement posted Monday to their Telegram channel, the group said it had accessed highly sensitive data linked to Justice Minister Abdellatif Ouahbi, along with files concerning roughly 5,000 magistrates and some 35,000 officials across the judicial sector. This latest claim follows similar declarations from Jabaroot in recent weeks. The group previously announced it had infiltrated the systems of the National Social Security Fund (CNSS), forcing a temporary shutdown of online services in April. Around the same time, it also claimed to have breached the National Agency for Land Registry, Cadastre and Cartography (ANCFCC), allegedly gaining access to more than 10 million documents, including property certificates, ID cards, bank statements, and notarized records. Jabaroot's tone in Monday's message was pointed. 'Here we are back after a little truce on the occasion of Eid al-Adha!' the statement opened. The group framed its activities as part of a mission to confront political corruption. 'Our main goal by leaking all that data is to raise consciousness among the people of Morocco about the corruption of their leaders and the injustice they are facing every day,' it wrote. The hackers accused Moroccan authorities of turning a blind eye to their previous disclosures. 'Talking about (in)justice, we have noted with a profound astonishment the suspicious and complicit silence and inaction of the government (particularly the Ministry of Justice and all the magistrates of the kingdom led by the Minister of Justice) towards those bombshell revelations (published or not yet),' the message stated. 'All the Justice IT infrastructure is already pawned' Jabaroot said it had hoped to see officials take initiative and open investigations, claiming they would have cooperated. 'The first logical step would have been for Mr. Ouahbi and the kingdom's magistrates to open transparent investigations in which we would have willingly participated by providing more evidence and documents. Instead, they fell into a doubtful and questionable muteness.' The group claims that not only does it hold information about Minister Ouahbi and thousands of individuals within the Moroccan justice system, but that it also controls the Justice Ministry's entire digital infrastructure. 'Hereby, Jabaroot announces that it possesses deep and very sensitive data about: The Minister of Justice Mr. Abdellatif Ouahbi, all the magistrates of the Kingdom (about 5000), most of the justice sector officials (about 35000). Moreover, all the Justice IT infrastructure is already pawned.' The statement closed with a warning and a suggestion. Jabaroot said it would begin its own investigation and release information publicly if no action is taken. 'If nothing is done in this direction, Jabaroot will conduct deeper investigations by itself and inform the public, journalists and opponents in full transparency, with supporting documents.' Addressing the minister himself, the group wrote, 'If Mr. Ouahbi feels that he can't take actions because of pressures or any other reasons, the door is always open for resignation.' The Ministry of Justice has not responded to the allegations. If verified, this would mark one of the most serious digital intrusions involving Morocco's justice system, further fueling concerns over the country's cybersecurity readiness. Tags: Algerian hackerJabarootMorocco cyberattacksMorocco cybersecurity
Morocco World
11 hours ago
- Morocco World
Macron Applauds Morocco's Leadership in Ocean Conservation at UN Conference
Rabat – At the opening of the 'Africa for the Ocean' summit in Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed admiration for what he described as King Mohammed VI's strong and forward-looking commitment to building a blue economy for Africa. Speaking alongside Princess Lalla Hasnaa, who represented the Moroccan monarch at the event, Macron described the King's message as 'clear' and 'decisive' in guiding the continent toward sustainable ocean development. King Mohammed VI addressed the summit with a message urging African nations to take greater ownership of their seas, which he described as central to the continent's future. Delivered by Princess Lalla Hasnaa, the message welcomed the presence of African leaders at what the monarch called an 'unprecedented summit' focused on Africa's 30,000 kilometers of shared coastline. In his message, the King commended President Emmanuel Macron for his commitment to ocean protection and emphasized the pressing need for Africa to move beyond acknowledging the value of its marine resources to actively safeguarding and developing them. He warned that while the continent's seas hold immense promise, they remain largely untapped and insufficiently protected. At the core of the King's message was a conviction that Africa's oceans, if managed responsibly, could serve as a foundation for long-term prosperity across the continent. The summit, organized ahead of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, brought together African leaders, policymakers, and international partners to reflect on the continent's ocean potential and the responsibilities that come with it. For Macron, Morocco's place at the helm felt natural. 'Morocco stands out on the continent,' he said, noting the country's efforts in ocean governance, its stance against plastic pollution, and its push for regional cooperation. 'These are not just policies, but signs of a clear vision,' he added. Macron reserved special words for the Atlantic Initiative, a project launched by King Mohammed VI to give landlocked African countries access to the Atlantic. 'This idea reflects a continental vision, one that doesn't leave any nation behind,' he said. He also linked this vision to past milestones, including the launch of Tanger Med two decades ago. 'What began as a bold idea is now the most important port in the Mediterranean,' he said. Looking ahead, Macron pointed to the upcoming opening of the Dakhla port as the next chapter in Morocco's ocean strategy. 'It marks more than infrastructure,' he said. 'It marks a determination to connect all of Africa to global maritime routes.' The French leader also reflected on the symbolism of the summit itself. 'It is not by accident that Morocco and France are co-hosting this event,' he said. 'We share a shoreline, a long-standing relationship, and a shared desire to face essential questions together.' Delegates explored ways to unlock investment for ocean-related infrastructure, ensure sustainable management of fish stocks, and build better ties between landlocked and coastal countries. Tags: Emmanuel MacronFrance Morocco tiesKing Mohammed VIUNOC-3
