Abu Dhabi — WAM — Agencies
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the United Arab Emirates' strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist plots that were foiled in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco — plots that had aimed to cause serious harm to public order and the security of persons and property, with logistical coordination and operational support from the terrorist Islamic State organisation's branch in the Sahel region.
Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the UAE's full solidarity with the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco and its support for all measures Morocco takes to protect its security and stability, ensure the safety of its citizens and residents, and preserve its national achievements. He commended the efficiency and vigilance of Morocco's security services in successfully foiling these plots and exposing those behind them.
He also stressed the UAE's categorical rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism and everything that undermines the security and stability of states, emphasising the importance of strengthening regional and international cooperation to counter and confront these threats.
Moroccan authorities announced the dismantling of a terrorist cell loyal to the Islamic State organisation in the Sahel region, with security operations resulting in the arrest of 10 suspects who had been planning imminent attacks.
A statement issued by Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations for Counterterrorism said that "based on precise intelligence provided by the services of the General Directorates for Territorial Surveillance, it was possible to foil terrorist plots of extreme danger that were at advanced stages of preparation and planning, which targeted serious harm to public order and the security of persons and property, carried out by extremists working with logistical coordination and operational support from the terrorist Islamic State organisation's branch in the African Sahel region."
Units of the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance conducted operations "simultaneously" in several cities including Agadir (south), Casablanca (west), and Tetouan (north), following investigations targeting a "terrorist cell," according to a statement by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations carried by the official Maghreb Arab Press agency.
The statement added that the operations resulted in "the detention of 10 extremist individuals suspected of involvement in carrying out this terrorist project," among them a minor and a former prisoner in a case related to "counterterrorism."
Police also seized during search operations "bladed weapons," "military clothing," and "detailed instructions on how to assemble explosive devices."
The adult detainees were held in custody, while the minor detainee was placed "under a surveillance measure."