Moroccan Police Arrest 10 Suspects Over Alleged Islamic State-Linked Attack Plots

Moroccan authorities have arrested 10 people, including a minor, after foiling what officials described as several advanced attack plots allegedly linked to the Islamic State’s affiliate operating in the Sahel region.

The arrests were announced on Monday by Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), the country’s counterterrorism agency. According to a statement carried by the state news agency, the coordinated security operations were conducted across several cities, including Agadir, Taroudant, Casablanca, Hajeb, Tetouan, Fqih Ben Salah, and Safi.

Investigators said the suspects had allegedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State and were acting under direct instructions from the extremist group’s Sahel branch. Authorities believe the group was preparing to carry out attacks inside Morocco as part of a broader terrorist agenda.

Officials described the alleged plots as “extremely dangerous” and said they had reached an advanced stage of preparation before security forces intervened.

During searches of the suspects’ properties, investigators recovered bladed weapons, military-style clothing, and documents containing information related to the construction of explosive devices. Authorities said the discoveries pointed to detailed planning for potential attacks.

One of the most significant findings was made in the town of Inezgane, near Agadir, where police located a vehicle that had reportedly been modified. According to investigators, the vehicle’s fuel system had been altered to operate using butane gas, and authorities believe it was intended for use in a planned attack.

The operation forms part of Morocco’s ongoing efforts to counter extremist threats and prevent terrorist attacks before they are carried out. The country has maintained a strong counterterrorism strategy for years, with security agencies regularly dismantling suspected extremist cells linked to international terrorist organisations.

Morocco has remained on high alert due to the activities of extremist groups operating across the Sahel region, where instability has enabled organisations affiliated with the Islamic State and al-Qaeda to expand their operations in recent years.

Authorities have repeatedly warned that these groups continue to recruit supporters beyond the Sahel, posing security risks to neighbouring countries across North Africa.

The last major jihadist attack recorded in Morocco occurred in 2023, when three individuals linked to the Islamic State fatally attacked a police officer in Casablanca. Since then, Moroccan security services have continued to strengthen intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations aimed at preventing further incidents.

The latest arrests underscore the ongoing security challenges facing countries in the region as governments work to combat extremist networks and disrupt planned attacks before they can be executed.

Investigations into the alleged cell are continuing, with authorities expected to examine the suspects’ communications, financial activities, and possible links to other extremist groups operating across the Sahel.