Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), working with Spain’s intelligence services, dismantled a cell with alleged links to the Islamic State operating across both countries, arresting three suspects in a joint counterterrorism operation, authorities said Wednesday.
During the operation, security forces detained two suspects in Tangier, while Spanish police arrested the alleged leader in Mallorca. The individual arrested in Spain is suspected of planning a potential attack using so-called “lone wolf” tactics.
Preliminary investigations indicate the suspects in Morocco were allegedly financing and providing logistical support to Islamic State-affiliated fighters in the Sahel and Somalia.
The subjects were remanded into custody pending further investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor in charge of terrorism cases.
The operation is part of the ongoing security cooperation between Morocco and Spain, which has carried out more than 30 joint counterterrorism operations since 2014, according to Moroccan authorities.
