Spain, Morocco collaborate to dismantle jihadist recruitment network

Spanish and Moroccan authorities orchestrated a joint operation that effectively dismantled a Jihadist recruitment network operating in Spain. The operation, executed on the first and second days of August, culminated in the arrest of two individuals, one of whom has Moroccan origins.

According to sources from Hespress AR, the detainees are facing charges related to the “Jihadist indoctrination of youth and minors recruited through social networks, as well as managing a private group with dozens of users from more than 10 Spanish provinces.”

The collaboration between the General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance (DGSN) and the Spanish Civil Guard’s Information Service (SIGC) has been ongoing since the middle of the previous year. The agencies worked together to target the Jihadist organization operating within Spain, with two of its key members presented before the Spanish judiciary on Friday.

The modus operandi of the two Jihadis involved the public dissemination of detailed terrorist content, specifically designed to identify and attract vulnerable individuals susceptible to extremist ideologies. These individuals were then enticed to join a private group, skillfully run by the two detainees, where dozens of users were identified across various Spanish provinces.

The recruitment tactics extended beyond the digital realm, as investigators found drawings depicting the ISIS terrorist group displayed on public streets. The alarming activities of the detainees were primarily directed at influencing children under the age of 18, with a clear intention to initiate them into radicalization processes through a well-calibrated multi-platform strategy, primarily reliant on social media.

The private group administered by the suspects served as a hub for disseminating audiovisual content, messages, and slogans, specifically tailored to attract and radicalize new followers. Moreover, the two detainees took the initiative to edit and translate Arabic-language Islamic State content into Spanish, with the aim of reaching the young Spanish-speaking population.

Jihadist recruiters, known for targeting vulnerable youths, employ various strategies to spread their radical ideologies. They exploit the impressionability of young minds, engaging in recruitment efforts not only through online platforms but also in public spaces such as parks, cultural venues, and online forums.