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Morocco World
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Morocco, France Enter New Era of Justice Cooperation with Minister Visit
Doha – Morocco and France signed a joint declaration Monday to strengthen their judicial and legal cooperation, focusing on counterterrorism and organized crime, as part of their strategic partnership. The meeting provided an opportunity to conduct an in-depth review of progress in legal and judicial cooperation between the two countries and explore future collaboration prospects. Moroccan Minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi and his French counterpart Gérald Darmanin sealed the agreement in Rabat, building upon the action plan signed in May 2024. The ministers stressed the strategic importance of counterterrorism efforts, acknowledging it as a major threat both nationally and internationally that heavily impacts sovereignty, security, economy, environment, and development of both nations. The ministers reiterated their commitment to address contemporary challenges, including facilitating legal procedures for Moroccan residents in France, particularly regarding personal status and family rights. 'A deep friendship and renewed partnership' Morocco has emerged as a key counterterrorism reference, recently dismantling a major Daesh cell operating across nine cities in February. The operation, led by BCIJ and DGST, arrested twelve suspects and uncovered a sophisticated weapons cache. Since 2002, Morocco has dismantled over 200 terrorist cells linked to Sahel-Sahara, Syrian, and Iraqi networks. 'This visit translates into a deep friendship and a renewed and strengthened partnership between our two countries, linked by a shared history, mutual attachment, and essential relations of brotherhood and solidarity,' Darmanin declared during his interview with 2M on Sunday. The declaration stems from exchanges that began during the development of the May 2024 action plan, incorporating crucial strategic priorities. Both countries affirmed their shared commitment to intensify efforts against these phenomena by mobilizing necessary resources, particularly in the legal domain. 'The more we talk, the more we prevent tragedies' 'The cooperation is excellent,' Darmanin voiced during an interview with 2M on Sunday. 'The exceptional work Morocco does in intelligence and counter-radicalization provides us with substantial information, and we manage to work together to prevent attacks.' 'Even during periods of tension, joint actions have always been carried out between Moroccan and French justice systems,' he added, pointing to the continuous nature of their collaboration. 'The more we dialogue, the more we are able to prevent tragedies.' 'We have reached an agreement on all pending issues,' Ouahbi stated, expressing confidence in the future of judicial cooperation between the two nations. The declaration aims to modernize the judicial system through continuous training of sector professionals, implementation of administrative improvement programs, and legislative development. The ministers agreed on the importance of exchanging expertise across all justice-related fields. The bilateral cooperation rests on a shared legal model, enriched by what the ministers described as 'judicial Francophonie' and close human relations, consolidating shared interests and deep solidarity. Both countries recalled the long tradition of trust and solidarity bonds uniting them. Darmanin proclaimed the declaration 'a significant sign of enhanced cooperation,' while commending Moroccan magistrates' pivotal role alongside their French counterparts in combating terrorism and drug trafficking. Darmanin also talked about the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' Expanding judicial frameworks During his visit, Darmanin also met with Morocco's Prosecutor General, Moulay El Hassan Daki, at the headquarters of the Public Prosecutor's Office in Rabat. Their discussions focused on expanding judicial and technical cooperation mechanisms, particularly in fighting organized and transnational crime. The meeting also stressed advances in Morocco's judicial system, especially regarding the independence of judicial authority and the digitalization of procedures. The French minister also met with Mohamed Abdennabaoui, First President of the Court of Cassation and Delegate President of the Supreme Council of the Judiciary (CSPJ). Their discussions also focused on strengthening judicial cooperation and activating the twinning agreement between the Moroccan and French Courts of Cassation. The French minister disclosed plans to improve the confiscation of assets seized from drug traffickers. 'We seize many assets – houses, apartments, cars, sometimes cryptocurrencies – but we confiscate relatively few on both sides of the Mediterranean. This must absolutely be improved,' he articulated. 'In France, out of 1.4 billion euros in seizures, only 300 million euros are actually confiscated, a figure that remains insufficient.' 'France would be less safe without Morocco' During a joint press conference with Ouahbi, Darmanin 'sincerely thanked' Morocco for its cooperation in fighting drug trafficking, particularly regarding the recent arrest of two suspects linked to the Mohamed Amra case in Marrakech. 'These individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice,' he stated. He also declared that 'without Morocco's work, in this specific case, but also in previous cases, and those I cannot publicly reference, France would be less safe,' Darmanin emphasized, expressing hope that the two suspects would be extradited 'in the coming days.' The justice minister added that 'these individuals arrested by Moroccan services will, we hope, be sent to French national territory in the coming days to answer for their acts before French justice.' After nine months on the run, Mohamed Amra was arrested in late February in Romania and handed over to France. Simultaneously, a broad investigation has led to the indictment of 27 people suspected of helping the drug trafficker in his escape and flight. Amra had escaped while being transferred from his cell in Normandy. A commando had attacked the prison van at a toll booth using a ram-raid vehicle and assault rifles to free him, killing two prison officers and wounding three others. After experiencing tensions a few years ago, relations between Morocco and France have improved significantly since French President Emmanuel Macron voiced strong support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for the Western Sahara. This visit marks Darmanin's second trip to Morocco in less than a year, following his April 2024 visit as Interior Minister. The cooperation has yielded major results, including the arrest and extradition of major French drug traffickers, notably Félix Bingui in Casablanca and Mohamed Amine Yahiaoui in Marrakech. Darmanin also emphasized the importance of civil law cooperation between the two countries, covering matters such as 'marriages, divorces, child presentation, successions, and economic support.' The enhanced French-Moroccan cooperation follows similar judicial agreements Morocco recently signed with Spain and Portugal. On March 5, Morocco and Spain signed a judicial cooperation declaration in Madrid focusing on cross-border crime fighting, while in January, Morocco and Portugal established a comparable framework in Lisbon Both agreements particularly aimed at preparations for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which the three countries will co-host. Read also: Darmanin Seeks to Boost France-Morocco Crime-Fighting Partnership Tags: Gerald darmaninMorocco France Relations
Ya Biladi
25-02-2025
- Ya Biladi
ISIS leader in the Sahel behind foiled terror plot in Morocco
Investigations and monitoring of the recently dismantled terrorist cell, named «The Lions of the Khilafa of Maghreb Al Aqsa» by its members, lasted nearly a year, said Cherkaoui Habboub, Director of the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), on Monday in Salé. Speaking at a press briefing, the official stated that these operations had led to the arrest of 12 suspects in various towns, including Laâyoune, Casablanca, Fès, Taounate, Tangier, Azemmour, Guercif, Oulad Teima, and Tamesna (a suburb of Rabat). These individuals had recently been scouting potential targets in several Moroccan cities. Habboub added that, based on information from the Direction générale de la surveillance du territoire (DGST), the BCIJ successfully foiled an extremely serious terrorist plan targeting Morocco, masterminded by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel region, named «Abderrahmane Assahraoui», of Libyan nationality. The searches carried out during this operation led to the seizure of a large quantity of equipment and materials used in preparing a large-scale terrorist attack. This included explosive devices ready for detonation, suspicious substances used to make explosives, and edged weapons. Preliminary technical investigations revealed that some members of the cell held GPS coordinates and specific addresses tied to a weapons and ammunition cache intended for the group to execute its plans. The cache was located in the province of Errachidia, on the eastern bank of Oued Guir at Tel Mzil, in the commune and district of Oued N'aam, near the Boudnib region, along the Oriental border line. Mapping and combing operations revealed that this cache was located at the base of a rocky outcrop, difficult to access. This required deploying suitable logistical resources, activating the security protocol for terrorist threats, and mobilizing explosives-detecting dog units, metal detectors, suspicious substance detection devices, robots, and an x-ray scanning system. After about three hours of search and combing, a cargo of weapons and ammunition was discovered buried in an isolated area at the foot of the rocky terrain. According to the BCIJ director, the seized weapons included two Kalashnikov rifles with magazines, two shotguns, ten pistols of various calibers, a large quantity of cartridges and ammunition, all packed in plastic bags, as well as newspapers from Mali, including weeklies dated January 15 and 27, 2025. Ballistics tests carried out by experts from the Sûreté Nationale's Institute of Forensic Sciences confirmed that the weapons were operational and had been intentionally modified by erasing their serial numbers to conceal their origin. Additionally, some weapon barrels had been shortened to facilitate concealment and transport. Ongoing investigations suggest that these weapons and materials were supplied by Abderrahmane Assahraoui, a senior Daech official from the Sahel region, who coordinated with smuggling networks to supply the arsenal to the terrorist cell members. Thanks to the vigilance of security services, these weapons were seized, preventing a potential catastrophe had the cell managed to acquire them.
Morocco World
24-02-2025
- Morocco World
BCIJ Links ‘Highly Dangerous' Foiled Terror Plot to Sahel Terrorist Groups
Rabat – The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) held a press conference today at its Sale headquarters providing details on the major foiled terrorist plot on February 19. BCIJ chief Haboub Cherkaoui shared details regarding the ongoing investigation on the foiled plot, stressing that preparations for the terrorist attacks had reached an advanced stage, aiming to target 12 spots across Morocco. BCIJ Press Conference Labeled 'Khalifa Lions in Maghrib Al-Aksa,' the terrorist cell had direct links with an ISIS leader operating in the African Sahel Region, the BCIJ official explained. The BCIJ operation, which culminated in the arrest of 12 extremists on February 19, followed nearly a year of surveillance and follow-up and prevented what the BCIJ head described as a 'highly dangerous terrorist plot targeting Morocco.' Operation details revealed Speaking during the press conference, Charkaoui detailed how the BCIJ, acting on intelligence from the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), arrested the 12 suspects across multiple Moroccan cities including Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taounate, Tangier, Azemmour, Guercif, Oulad Teima, and Tamesna near Rabat. BCIJ Chief, Haboub Cherkaoui 'The suspects had recently conducted reconnaissance of targeted sites in several Moroccan cities,' Charkaoui said. 'Search operations yielded ready-to-use explosive devices, materials suspected for manufacturing explosives, and knives.' Read also: Morocco, Spain, and Germany Determined to Boost Security Cooperation During 2030 World Cup Further investigations led to the discovery of a weapons cache in a remote area of Errachidia province, containing 'two Kalashnikov rifles with ammunition magazines, two firearms, ten individual pistols of various types, and a large quantity of live ammunition,' wrapped in plastic bags and newspapers from Mali dated January 15 and 27, 2025. Investigations are underway to unveil the source of the confiscated weapons. One of the suspects had already 'shaved his beard and prepared his passport,' revealing plans to join terrorist groups in the Sahel region right after executing the planned terrorist attacks. Arrested terrorists profiles The 12 arrested extremists, aged 18 to 40, share similar characteristics, especially the level of education. 'Eight of the suspects have not exceeded secondary education, three have only basic education, while one has completed only the first year of university,' revealed Cherkaoui. Most members were unmarried and employed in simple, casual occupations. Investigations revealed they were in direct contact with a prominent ISIS leader in the Sahel region, identified as Abderrahmane Sahraou, a Libyan national. Cherkaoui further detailed that 'technical investigations revealed GPS coordinates for a weapons and ammunition cache prepared in the eastern border of the kingdom.' 'The cache was found after more than three hours of topographic scanning and combing, buried in an isolated place at the bottom of a rocky height.' ISIS proxy strategy in Morocco The cell's operations show a concerning pattern of 'remote-controlled terrorism' from the Sahel region, with local agents playing the role of ISIS proxy inside Morocco. 'This cell's danger lies not only in its multiple targets but in being a strategic project for ISIS's Sahel region to establish a branch in Morocco,' Cherkaoui said. Under guidance from ISIS's 'Foreign Operations Committee,' the cell created a miniature committee responsible for coordinating terrorist plans, implementation methods, and relaying orders to other members. Read also: Interpol: Morocco's Counterterrorism Strategy is 'Very Strong' The operation signals a new trend among ISIS, and other terrorist groups operating in the Sahel Region, a strategy that aims to recruit local agents in Morocco. The newly-found terrorist plot recalls similar patterns in past foiled terror plans. 'The discovery of the weapons cache in the Errachidia region brings to mind the Amgala cell linked to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, dismantled in January 2011,' Cherkaoui noted. Not only that, Cherkaoui mentioned, with no further details, the growing links between terrorist groups, separatist militias, and criminal groups, warning of the potential threat of such coordination. Counterterrorism response Today's press conference pointed to how Morocco is facing dual external and internal terrorist threats, pointing to the country's tireless efforts to curb the growth of extremism in its territory. Cherkaoui spoke of the growing number of local terrorist agents engaging in the expansionist agenda of terrorist organizations active in the Sahel region. 'If all attempts by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and organizations that emerged from it, as well as those loyal to ISIS, have failed to gain a foothold in Morocco, the dismantling of this cell, just weeks after neutralizing the 'Three Brothers Cell' in Had Soualem near Casablanca, confirms that the Kingdom of Morocco is a central target in the agenda of all terrorist organizations active in the Sahel region,' Charkaoui noted. Read also: Morocco's BCIJ Latest Counter-Terrorism Operation, Details, Regional Context The foiled terrorist plans reflect BCIJ's preventive approach and the vital role of international cooperation. Speaking of the inclusion of citizens in counterterrorism, especially on social media, DGST Spokesperson Boubker Sebki noted the creation of a digital platform 'Yakada,' through which citizens can report terrorist or extremist content they come across on social media. DGST Spokesperson Boubker Sebki Morocco's vigilance against terrorism The newly foiled operation reflects the North African country's ongoing vigilance against terrorist threats. 'Morocco has been a pioneer in sounding the alarm at the international level regarding the strategic importance that Africa occupies in the agenda of terrorist organizations,' the BCIJ chief added. Morocco's security authorities have dismantled over 40 terrorist cells with direct solid links to terrorist organizations in the African Sahel region. The series of operations, including the latest, are proof of Morocco's ongoing efforts to combat terrorist threats, with particular attention to the growing influence of Sahel-based groups and their attempts to establish operational networks within the country, thus contributing to stability both on the regional and international levels. Read also: Morocco Takes Part in Major Interpol-Led Counter-Terrorism Operation
Morocco World
23-02-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
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
Ya Biladi
21-02-2025
- Ya Biladi
Morocco uncovers suspected arms cache linked to dismantled ISIS-linked cell
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.
