Morocco thwarts al-Qaeda linked terror cell

Morocco says it has foiled a 27-member terrorist cell that was plotting a series of attacks in the country.

Morocco’s Interior Minister Taib Cherqaoui also announced one of those arrested was a member of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

‘‘We’ve dismantled the terrorist network which was planning to send volunteers to al-Qaeda Islamic Magreb camps in Algeria and Mali to conduct paramilitary training before returning to Morocco to carry out their deadly plans. Our investigations have shown that this cell also has links with al-Qaeda groups in Europe,’‘ he said.

Authorities said the group had planned to attack Morocco’s security services using weapons they had hidden in disputed Western Sahara, and also carry out multiple bank robberies to fund further terrorist strikes. Militant violence is rare in Morocco, however a series of suicide bombings in the country’s economic capital Casablanca in 2003 killed 45 people.

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