Morocco Dismantles 6-Member ISIS Cell

File photo: Moroccan security forces patrol the streets of Casablanca. (AFP Photo/Abdelhak Senna)
File photo: Moroccan security forces patrol the streets of Casablanca. (AFP Photo/Abdelhak Senna)
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Morocco Dismantles 6-Member ISIS Cell

File photo: Moroccan security forces patrol the streets of Casablanca. (AFP Photo/Abdelhak Senna)
File photo: Moroccan security forces patrol the streets of Casablanca. (AFP Photo/Abdelhak Senna)

Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) dismantled on Thursday a six-member terror cell following raids in several cities around the Casablanca area, including Mohammedia, El Jadida, Sidi Bennour, and Marrakech.

A statement from the Ministry of the Interior revealed that one of the six radicalized suspects, aged between 27 and 40, had spent time in prison over links with ISIS terrorists in Libya.

A preliminary investigation found the suspects had pledged allegiance to ISIS and had plotted terror attacks across Morocco.

Police placed all suspects in custody pending further investigation.

Last Sunday, the ministry announced the repatriation of eight Moroccan extremists, describing the operation as a "humanitarian” move.

The process is also part of Morocco's contribution to international efforts in the fight against terrorism as well as fulfilling its responsibility in protecting its citizens, it said.

In the same context, Dr. Ahmad al-Abbadi, Secretary General of Al Rabita Al-Muhammadiyah Association for scholars, called for distancing communities and minds from extremism.

During a seminar on women leadership for peace and limiting terrorism and religious extremism, he stressed the importance of women in combating hate speech.

Leila Rhiwi, UN Women's Maghreb Representative, said that extremism and terrorism are increasingly targeting women, giving the examples of rape and forced marriage.



Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
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Geagea Calls on Hezbollah to Work with Lebanese Army

 Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)
Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea. (Lebanese Forces)

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea urged on Friday Hezbollah to engage with the Lebanese army and devise a plan to dismantle its military infrastructure south and north of the Litani river.

In a press conference Friday, Geagea criticized Hezbollah for opening a front with Israel and accused the Shiite group of committing a “major crime” against the Lebanese people.

“We could have done without the martyrdom of more than 4,000 people, the displacement of thousands and the destruction across the country,” he said. “Despite all these tragedies, Hezbollah continues to talk about a victory using a bizarre and disconnected logic that has no basis in reality.”

Geagea’s comments came two days after a US-brokered ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel went into effect. More than 3,900 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel's conflict with Hezbollah escalated.

Geagea, whose Lebanese Forces Party holds the largest bloc in Lebanon’s 128-member parliament, also addressed Lebanon’s presidential deadlock. The country has been without a president for more than two years.

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has scheduled a session for presidential elections in January. "Consultations with opposition factions and our allies will begin in the coming days to explore the possibility of agreeing on presidential candidates and bringing them to parliament,” Geagea said.