A Terrorist Plot Foiled in Different Cities Across Morocco: A Major Blow to Daesh

Moroccan security forces successfully thwarted a dangerous terrorist plot orchestrated by a high-ranking Daesh leader in the Sahel region. The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), acting on precise intelligence from the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), conducted a large-scale operation on Wednesday morning to dismantle this imminent threat.

The operation took place simultaneously in several cities, including Laâyoune, Casablanca, Fès, Taounate, Tangier, Azemmour, Guercif, Ouled Teima, and Tamesna, on the outskirts of Rabat. A total of 12 extremists, aged between 18 and 40, were arrested. These individuals had pledged allegiance to Daesh and were actively preparing and coordinating to execute terrorist attacks.

Intervention teams, supervised by DGST Special Forces, deployed elite snipers to neutralize any potential threats or violent resistance. Specialized assault teams used climbing techniques to access certain locations, while explosives detection units and police canine teams meticulously searched for hazardous materials.

For public safety, law enforcement officers evacuated residents from nearby apartments as a precautionary measure. Security forces also used stun grenades to prevent suspects from resisting arrest and to ensure the safety of intervention teams.

During the searches, authorities uncovered explosive devices in various stages of assembly at two suspects’ homes in Tamesna. Among the seized items were modified gas canisters filled with nails and chemicals, connected to mobile phones for remote detonation. A pressure cooker containing explosive materials, multiple bladed weapons, US dollars, and various chemical substances were also found.

Further investigations revealed that the terrorist cell had direct ties to a senior Daesh leader in the Sahel, who was responsible for planning and financing terrorist activities beyond the region. The cell operated under a structured hierarchy, with designated coordinators, execution members, and financial operatives receiving direct funding from Daesh without passing through banking networks.

This foiled terrorist plan targeted security forces, key economic and strategic installations, foreign interests in Morocco, and environmental sabotage through deliberate arson. The BCIJ has placed all arrested individuals in custody under the supervision of the counterterrorism prosecutor’s office to uncover their broader connections and potential international links.

This successful operation highlights the growing threat posed by Daesh’s regional branches in Africa, particularly in the Sahel. Moroccan intelligence services had previously warned international and regional partners about the escalating terrorist risks in the region, following the dismantling of multiple extremist cells in recent years.