Latest news with #LionsoftheCaliphate
Voice of America
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
IS in Sahel expands terror threat beyond strongholds
On Feb. 24, the Moroccan counterterror agency broke up a terrorist cell calling itself "the Lions of the Caliphate in the Maghreb Al Aqsa." Authorities said the group was making remote-controlled bombs to carry out attacks in the North African country. In November, a similar terrorist cell was dismantled in the Spanish cities of Seville and Ceuta. The connection? Both Moroccan and Spanish authorities said the groups were aligned with Islamic State in The Sahel. The group is best known for wreaking a devastating wave of violence across Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali, plunging these countries into chaos and fueling a spiraling humanitarian crisis. But analysts say the foiled terror cells farther afield are a worrying sign. "Because the counterinsurgency infrastructure in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger has been compromised, then it allows them to make inroads into other countries that they perceive to be vulnerable," said Beverly Ochieng, a senior analyst at geopolitical risk consultancy Control Risks. Ochieng said IS Sahel's strategy appears increasingly focused on exploiting security gaps beyond their core Sahelian strongholds. "IS Sahel has seen that its expansion could be directed much further West and much further North, and Morocco would be one place which would be of strategic interest to it," she said. Andrew Lebovich of the Dutch international affairs think tank Clingendael said these disrupted plots are indicative of IS Sahel's broader ambitions. "It does suggest an ongoing effort to increase operations in different ways in other countries,' he said, adding that Algeria is facing an increasing threat. And it's not just North Africa that's at risk. Ochieng warns that countries traditionally seen as stable, such as Guinea or even Senegal, could become future targets for IS Sahel militants too. In March, the Global Terrorism Index named the Sahel the epicenter of global terrorism for the second year running.
Ya Biladi
25-02-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco intensifies counterterrorism measures after dismantling of «Lions of the Caliphate» cell
The level of vigilance must remain high to neutralize and thwart terrorist plans targeting Morocco, said Boubker Sabik, spokesperson for the National Security and Territorial Surveillance services, in a press briefing on Monday, February 24, 2025, in Salé. Sabik explained that terrorist organizations do not operate according to a fixed agenda but seek the right opportunity to carry out attacks. Morocco is fully committed to regional and international cooperation, particularly through information exchange from field searches, to neutralize threats and expand related operations. He also reported an increase in terrorist ideology, noting that «Daech» exports terrorist operations by creating specialized units for external attacks. He discussed the dismantling of the «Lions of the Caliphate in Al Maghreb Al Aqsa» cell, with ongoing efforts to identify its links with smuggling and organized crime networks, leaving all avenues open for investigation. Sabik cautioned against doubting the dismantling operations, particularly as individuals linked to these groups spread rumors to create fear. The cell operated under the direction of Abderrahman Al-Sahraoui, a senior Libyan Daech leader in the Sahel region. It had a pyramid-like structure where coordinators were in direct contact with Al-Sahraoui, while other members were kept isolated from him. The coordinators transmitted «terrorist instructions» to a team responsible for executing attacks, supported by a cell tasked with financing, indicating strategic planning by Daech to establish a presence in Morocco. Seized weapons, including equipment connected to cell phones, suggested plans for remote detonations. Investigations also revealed that several suspects had consulted online resources on handling firearms. Mohamed Nifaoui, Comptroller General of Police at the BCIJ, emphasized that terrorist groups are exploiting security gaps in the Sahel and using cross-border smuggling networks, with Morocco facing this challenge professionally. Nifaoui also noted that new communication technologies, including propaganda platforms from al-Qaeda and Daech, pose an increasing challenge for Moroccan security forces. Extremists are increasingly utilizing the internet, leading to a new generation of virtual terrorists. Since 2016, Morocco has arrested 600 individuals involved in online extremism. He concluded that Morocco's security policy in counterterrorism is based on a strong, collective security doctrine, highlighting the country's efforts in international coordination with its allies and partners, translating into cooperation in intelligence and security and the proposal and adoption of initiatives.
