Islamist Terror Cell Busted In Morocco, Nine Arrested

11/2/2012 4:22 AM ET
Morocco's security forces have busted an Islamist terror cell and arrested nine of its members.

A statement issued by the Internal Affairs Ministry on Thursday said the terrorist cell had planned to set up a training camp in the northern Rif mountains "in order to carry out terrorist acts against public authorities" in Morocco.

"As part of its preparations for such terrorist acts, members of the cell planned to make explosives via Internet and to rob shops in Sale City in Rabat in order to find money for financing their criminal projects," the Ministry said.

Several items, including tools, bullet-proof vests as well as black flags symbolizing the al-Qaeda were recovered from the detained suspects. Five of the nine detained suspects were remanded in custody while the remaining four were taken for "further investigation" by judicial police.

Moroccan authorities have stepped up efforts to crackdown on Islamist militants ever since five suicide bombings left more than 45 people dead and many more injured in the northern port city of Casablanca on May 16, 2003.

On of the suspects in the Casablanca bombings, identified only as 37-year-old French national of Moroccan origin, was arrested at the Munich International Airport in Germany on Tuesday while transiting from Paris to Dubai with his family.

German police said in a statement the suspect was detained following an international arrest warrant issued by the Moroccan government, and added that legal procedures for his extradition to Morocco have been initiated.

The man believed to be the mastermind of the Casablanca bombings, identified as Saad Housseini, was sentenced to 15 years in jail by a Moroccan court in 2009. His accomplices were given shorter jail terms.

Despite persistent efforts by Moroccan authorities to crackdown on Islamist militants, the West African country has seen a number of terror attacks in recent years, including the April 2011 bombing of a cafe in the city of Marrakesh in which 17 people, including 14 foreigners, were killed.

Although no group has claimed responsibly for the Marrakesh bombing, Moroccan authorities suspect the involvement of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the north African wing of the global terror network. Several people have been arrested in connection with that attack, and are currently waiting trial.
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