Morocco says it foiled ‘terrorist plot’ orchestrated by ISIS in Sahel region

By Anadolu staff

RABAT, Morocco (AA) – Morocco said Wednesday that it had foiled a “highly dangerous terrorist plot” orchestrated by the ISIS (Daesh) terror group.

In a statement, the General Directorate of National Security said the plot was directed by a senior ISIS leader in the Sahel region, without providing details.

According to the statement, 12 suspects were arrested in raids in nine cities; Laâyoune, Casablanca, Fez, Taza, Tangier, Azemmour, Jerrada, Oulad Taima, and Tamsna near the capital Rabat.

Explosives and chemical materials were seized inside a house in Tamsna during the raids, the statement said.

Morocco occasionally announces the dismantling of "terrorist cells," and asserts that its counterterrorism campaigns have successfully dismantled some 200 cells since 2003.