Morocco Launches Major Anti-'Terrorist' Operation

Spanish police arrest a man suspected of belonging to a militant cell that simulated decapitations in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla, September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jesus Blasco de Avellaneda
Spanish police arrest a man suspected of belonging to a militant cell that simulated decapitations in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla, September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jesus Blasco de Avellaneda
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Morocco Launches Major Anti-'Terrorist' Operation

Spanish police arrest a man suspected of belonging to a militant cell that simulated decapitations in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla, September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jesus Blasco de Avellaneda
Spanish police arrest a man suspected of belonging to a militant cell that simulated decapitations in the Spanish north African enclave of Melilla, September 6, 2017. REUTERS/Jesus Blasco de Avellaneda

Moroccan investigators questioned around 50 people Wednesday across the kingdom in a major operation targeting suspected militant supporters, local media reported, citing security sources.

Among them, 21 were arrested on suspicion of having pledged allegiance to ISIS group or Al-Qaeda, the reports said, adding anti-terrorist special forces were involved.

Officers seized knives, publications defending "terrorism", and instructions for making explosives, they added, AFP reported.

The North African country has been largely spared acts of violence by militant groups, but its security services often report crackdowns and foiled attack plans.

Last week police in Morocco and Spain said two people, including an ISIS supporter, had been arrested in a joint operation by both countries' security services targeting "terrorists".



Erdogan: Türkiye Stands with Lebanon Amid Tensions with Israel

A smoke plume billows during Israeli bombardment on the village of Khiam in south Lebanon near the border with Israel on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
A smoke plume billows during Israeli bombardment on the village of Khiam in south Lebanon near the border with Israel on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
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Erdogan: Türkiye Stands with Lebanon Amid Tensions with Israel

A smoke plume billows during Israeli bombardment on the village of Khiam in south Lebanon near the border with Israel on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)
A smoke plume billows during Israeli bombardment on the village of Khiam in south Lebanon near the border with Israel on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Rabih DAHER / AFP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Türkiye stood in solidarity with Lebanon in light of growing tensions with Israel, and called on regional countries to also support Beirut.

Speaking in parliament, Erdogan said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu planned to spread the Gaza war to the region and that this would lead to a "catastrophe", adding the Western support for Israel was "pitiful.”

Israel’s low-level conflict with Lebanon’s Hezbollah has escalated in recent weeks, raising fears of an all-out war.

A senior Israeli official said Tuesday Israel and the United States will devote an unspecified number of weeks to trying to reach a new arrangement with Hezbollah before resorting to other means to bring calm to the Israel-Lebanon border.

“We will now dedicate long weeks ... in an attempt to reach an arrangement” along the border, National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said.

Hezbollah began attacking northern Israel in solidarity with Hamas shortly after the Palestinian militants’ Oct. 7 attack triggered the war in Gaza. Israel has responded with airstrikes.