Moroccan police have confirmed the arrest of a suspect of the so-called Islamic State (“Daesh”) in the northern city of Tetouan.
The suspect was allegedly in the execution phase of an “extremely dangerous” terrorist plot aimed at undermining public order in the kingdom.
The operation, carried out by Moroccan security forces, forms part of ongoing national efforts to combat terrorism and all forms of organised crime.
The 26-year-old suspect was apprehended on the basis of precise intelligence provided by the General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) said in a statement.
The same source reported that the security operation led to the seizure of a large bladed weapon the suspect intended to use in carrying out his plans.
According to the BCIJ, the individual had drawn attention by sharing media content glorifying terrorist operations carried out by Daesh.
Searches conducted as part of the investigation also resulted in the seizure of a Daesh flag found in his home.
The suspect was referred to the BCIJ and placed in custody as investigators, under the supervision of the public prosecutor in charge of terrorism cases, work to identify all terrorist plots linked to him and determine any potential connections inside or outside Morocco.
Official figures indicate that more than 200 terrorist cells have been dismantled since 2002, thanks in part to the integration of artificial intelligence into surveillance and intelligence systems.
In 2025, the BCIJ carried out several major counterterrorism operations. In July, a cell affiliated with the Islamic State was dismantled between Tetouan and Chefchaouen. In February, twelve extremists were arrested in several cities — including Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Laayoune and Rabat — and authorities seized explosives and improvised manufacturing materials.
AK/sf/lb/as/APA