January 26, 2025
Rabat – Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), successfully dismantled a terrorist plot in its early stages on Sunday morning. The thwarted plan involved assembling and deploying explosives for attacks.
The operation, conducted with precision and coordination, resulted in the arrest of four suspects, including three brothers, all linked to the Daesh terrorist organization. The suspects, aged 26, 29, 31, and 35, were apprehended in the Had Soualem area of Berrechid Province, according to a statement from the BCIJ.
The raid targeted two homes in the Al Omrane and Al Amal neighborhoods of Had Soualem’s Al Wahda district. The operation involved DGST special forces, BCIJ officers, the aerial brigade, and the Judicial Center of the Royal Gendarmerie. Sniffer dogs, explosive detection experts, and a Royal Gendarmerie helicopter equipped with DGST snipers were deployed to secure the area.
During the searches, authorities seized various items potentially intended for manufacturing explosives. These included knives, bottles containing chemicals, chemical fertilizers, sulfur, charcoal powder, electrical wires, welding tools, and adhesive tapes. All materials were handed over to forensic experts for further analysis.
The investigation was launched after DGST uncovered a video of the suspects pledging allegiance to Daesh and threatening to carry out attacks. Intelligence further revealed the group had purchased chemicals from four local hardware stores on the same day and had begun experimenting with explosive device assembly.
Two of the brothers also conducted reconnaissance missions, photographing and filming potential targets to aid in planning attacks. Authorities believe the group’s ultimate goal was to execute bombings and later join Daesh training camps in the Sahel region.
The suspects are now in custody under the supervision of the public prosecutor specializing in terrorism cases. Investigators aim to uncover any links between the cell and regional or international terrorist networks and identify any remaining collaborators.
