Morocco Breaks up Terror Cell in Tangier

Defendants who are on trial for the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland arrive at a criminal court in Sale, Morocco May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer
Defendants who are on trial for the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland arrive at a criminal court in Sale, Morocco May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer
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Morocco Breaks up Terror Cell in Tangier

Defendants who are on trial for the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland arrive at a criminal court in Sale, Morocco May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer
Defendants who are on trial for the killing of Scandinavian tourists Louisa Vesterager Jespersen and Maren Ueland arrive at a criminal court in Sale, Morocco May 2, 2019. REUTERS/Stringer

The Moroccan Central Bureau of Forensic Investigations (BCIJ) has broken up a suspected terrorist cell in the northern city of Tangier.

"A terrorist cell consisting of eight extremists from the city of Tangier, aged between 20 and 31, has been neutralized,” the BCIJ said.

Among the detainees is a man whose brothers have fought alongside ISIS militants in Iraq and Syria, it added.

During the operation, the security forces seized several electronic devices, bladed weapons, a piece of black fabric symbolizing the ISIS flag, military uniform and two underwater firearms.

The detainees are suspected of spreading ISIS propaganda.

According to the same source, this security operation was part of continued efforts to preserve Morocco’s security and stability.

The statement added that the suspects were kept in custody while investigations are ongoing to arrest other accomplices.

A week ago, Morocco was internationally recognized for its effective and successful strategies in combating terrorism and its funding, revealed Dr. Jawhar Nfissi, the head of the Moroccan Financial Intelligence Unit.

Nfissi chaired the delegation representing the kingdom at the MENAFATF 29th Plenary Meeting & Meetings.

The meeting was held in Amman on April 23-25 and was attended by representatives of member states of MENAFATF (21), international observers, representatives of the World Bank and the UN, experts from the US, UK, France, Germany, Australia, and Spain, and experts from the international organizations in money laundering and terrorism financing.



Israel Says it Struck Hezbollah Targets in East Lebanon

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon. Photo: X
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon. Photo: X
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Israel Says it Struck Hezbollah Targets in East Lebanon

Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon. Photo: X
Smoke rises after Israeli airstrikes in eastern Lebanon. Photo: X

Israel's military said it was striking targets belonging to Hezbollah's Radwan force in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley on Tuesday, the latest attack despite a ceasefire between Israel and the group.

"Moments ago, Israeli Air Force fighter jets... began numerous strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in the area of Bekaa, Lebanon," it said in a statement. "The military compounds that were struck were used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization for training and exercising terrorists to plan and carry out terrorist attacks against (Israeli) troops and the State of Israel."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that ongoing Israeli military strikes in Lebanon were a clear message to Hezbollah, which he said was plotting to rebuild raid capabilities against Israel through its Radwan Force.

Since the US-brokered ceasefire went into effect in November, Hezbollah has almost ended all its military presence along the border with Israel, which is insisting that the group disarms all over Lebanon.

The Hezbollah-Israel war left over 4,000 people dead in Lebanon and caused destruction estimated at $11 billion. In Israel, 127 people, including 80 soldiers, were killed during the war.

Since the ceasefire, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes on different parts of Lebanon, killing about 250 people and injuring over 600. Israel is also still holding five strategic posts inside Lebanon that it refused to withdraw from earlier this year.