The Central Office of Judicial Research of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance announced on Wednesday morning the dismantlement of a terrorist cell in Tangiers.
According to Hespress sources, the terrorist cell consists of five members, ranging in age from 22 to 28 years old, who had declared their “loyalty” to the terrorist organization ISIS.
The security intervention, which was supervised by the Central Bureau of Judicial Research (Basij) and members of the Special Forces of the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, took place simultaneously in separate locations.
Four individuals were arrested in the neighborhood of Bani Makada and the Fifth Element on the Sheraqa Road in the suburb of the city.
One of the five arrested was the “Emir” of this terrorist cell. He resisted violently the security officials, forcing the intervention elements to launch sound bombs, according to a report issued by the Central Office for Judicial Research.
The report added that the security of the arrested persons’ family members the neighboring residents was a priority during the operation as Special Forces ensured their safety and warded off risks arising from the possibility of any possible explosion, especially that the inspection and survey procedures revealed the presence of a flask and bottles of large sizes.
Different items were found, during the operation, containing nitric acid and suspected chemical liquids, quantities of nails and electrical wires, and six small gas bottles suspected of being harnessed for the purposes of preparing homemade explosives.
According to the same source, the special forces seized, during the operation, a large flag bearing the ISIS emblem, paramilitary clothes, and cold weapons of various sizes, including sharp cutters, flat tools, a large sword, and information equipment and supports, as well as posters and photos of Adnan “Abu al-Walid,” a former ISIS leader in the Sahel and Sahara region.
Preliminary reports indicated that the “emir” of this terrorist cell had entered into contact with prominent leaders of ISIS in the Sahel and Sub-Saharan region, in order to provide the necessary financial resources to back his terrorist projects, as well as to provide possible supplies of weapons and other logistical equipment necessary for terrorist operations.
The members of the Tangiers terrorist cell engaged in an intense campaign to attract and recruit other members in order to strengthen their ranks, in addition to purchasing supplies to make traditional explosive devices.
These moves were made as part of a huge future terrorist plan, that would consist of carrying out remote detonation operations, targeting security headquarters and figures, as well as public shops that receive Moroccan and foreign citizens, according to the preliminary investigation.
The members of this terrorist cell have been placed detained pending investigation, which is conducted by the Central Office for Judicial Research under the supervision of the Public Prosecution in charge of terrorism cases, in order to reveal the nature and extent of the local and international links of this terrorist cell, and to identify all its plans and subversive projects.
The dismantling of this terrorist cell indicates, according to the Moroccan security report, “the continuation of terrorist dangers through the efforts of some extremist organizations to threaten the national security.”
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.