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Morocco World
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Spain, Morocco Continue Efforts to Reinforce Security Cooperation
Rabat – Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance (DGSN-DGST), received today in Rabat a high-level security delegation from Spain, including the country's Head of Intelligence for the Spanish Civil Guard, Major General Luis Peláez Piñeiro. The two parties discussed their strategic cooperation, particularly in the fields of counterterrorism and the fight against transnational organized crime. According to a statement from DGSN-DGST, the visit marks the first international trip by Pineiro since his recent appointment. 'His choice of Morocco as his first destination reflects the strength of the strategic cooperation between the two countries,' the statement said. Talks between the officials focused on developing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and strengthening the bilateral partnership to ensure coordinated efforts in tackling regional and global security challenges. Both countries also celebrated joint efforts in dismantling and neutralizing security threats. They notably discussed coordination mechanisms and efforts to ensure the success of the 2030 World Cup. Morocco, Spain, and Portugal will host the international tournament, with the three countries determined to gear up against security threats and ensure public safety and security. According to the statement, the two officials reaffirmed the importance of Morocco-Spain bilateral migration in the security field, reflecting their firm commitment to continue to mitigate common threats and risks. Spain and Morocco share strong bilateral ties and have worked together to dismantle several terror cells and arrest ISIS-affiliated suspects. Several recent reports highlighted Morocco's intelligence efforts, enabling Spain to bust suspects linked to terror groups. The two countries continue to stress the importance of bilateral ties and cooperation, particularly to tackle common challenges related to irregular migration. Spain is also one of the allies that support Morocco's territorial integrity, as the country views the Autonomy Plan as the most serious and credible political solution to end the dispute over Western Sahara.
Ya Biladi
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Spanish Civil Guard Intelligence head visits Morocco to strengthen security cooperation
The Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, Abdellatif Hammouchi, received Brigadier General Luis Peláez Piñeiro, head of intelligence at the Spanish Civil Guard, accompanied by a high-level security delegation, in Rabat on Wednesday. This visit is of particular significance as it marks the first foreign visit by this senior Spanish security official since his appointment, according to a DGSN-DGST press release. The choice of Morocco for this initial trip underscores the strength of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the fight against terrorism and cross-border organized crime. Discussions between the two leaders focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation mechanisms in the security field and strengthening the partnership between the two nations to ensure coordinated efforts in addressing security challenges linked to their shared regional neighborhood and terrorist threats in global conflict zones, particularly the Sahel-Saharan region. The talks also covered the various joint security operations between Morocco and Spain, which have proven successful and effective in neutralizing security threats at both regional and international levels. Additionally, discussions included mechanisms for coordinating and consolidating efforts to ensure the success of the 2030 World Cup, to be hosted by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal, particularly in terms of mitigating risks and threats to public safety. This meeting underscores the paramount importance of Moroccan-Spanish bilateral cooperation in the security field, representing a model of effective and regular collaboration in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and irregular migration. It also reflects the two countries' firm commitment to coordination and proactive measures in addressing various emerging threats and dangers.
Morocco World
20-02-2025
- Morocco World
BCIJ Discovers Mountainous Area ISIS Terrorist Cell Used as Rear Base
Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) uncovered today a mountainous area suspected to have been used by a terrorist cell as a logistical rear base. The area contained weapons and ammunition BCIJ belonging to members of a recently dismantled ISIS-affiliated cell. A statement from the National Police and National Tertotiral Surveillance Directorate (DGSN-DGST) said on Thursday that ongoing investigations identified the mountainous area through technical expertise and the satellite location identification process. The suspected area is located in the province of Errachidia. BCIJ opened an investigation into a high-profile terror plot that sought to undermine Morocco's stability on Wednesday when it foiled 'a highly dangerous' terrorist plan. The operation included the arrest of 12 suspects aged between 18 and 40 in simultaneous operations in the cities of Laayoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taza, Tangier, Azzemmour, Oulad Taima, and Tamsna on the outskirts of Rabat. Inspections on the ground showed that the suspected area included a cache of firearms and ammunition buried in a secured location at the base of the rocky hill. The operation required dog patrols trained in detecting explosives, metal detection mechanisms, devices for identifying suspicious material, and bomb detection robots. Search operations in the region lasted approximately three hours. The equipment seized was wrapped in plastic bags and newspapers printed in Mali, including publications dated January 27 of this year. The seized firearms included two Kalashnikov rifles, two shotguns, ten individual handguns of different types, a large quantity of cartridges, and ammunition of different calibers. After uncovering the area, police sealed the firearms and handed them to experts for technical investigations. The DGSN-DGST statement said the ongoing investigations suggest that the weapons were snuggled into Morocco by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel region. The ISIS leader also sent the location coordinates to the dismantled terror cell team to collect the weapons and use them to carry out terrorist attacks. Following the dismantling of the cell, Moroccan security services identified more materials on Wednesday, including an improvised explosive device that was still under assembly. BCIJ Morocco During the dismantling operation, security services also seized modified gas cylinders connected to mobile phones for remote detonation, as well as knives among other materials and chemicals.
Ya Biladi
19-02-2025
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan authorities uncover additional explosive device linked to ISIS-affiliated cell
Ongoing searches and investigations following the dismantling of the terrorist cell linked to ISIS's African branch on Wednesday have led to the discovery of additional items, including another explosive device in the assembly phase. The device consists of a gas bottle connected to pipes and electrical wires. A press release from the DGSN-DGST hub stated that these new items were found in an uninhabited area of the Sidi Larbi housing estate in Ain Aouda, on the outskirts of Rabat. The components had been buried under heaps of soil by members of the terrorist cell arrested in Tamesna. Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) mobilized drilling equipment to extract the explosive device's components, which were cataloged and placed among the sealed evidence collected in connection with this case, the statement added.
Morocco World
19-02-2025
- Morocco World
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
