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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
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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.

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As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
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As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)

Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport as well as all roads leading into the city on Saturday, three military sources told Reuters, as the groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad said they had reached the heart of Aleppo.
The opposition fighters, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, carried out a surprise sweep through government-held towns this week and reached Aleppo nearly a decade after having been forced out by Assad and his allies.
Russia, one of Assad's key allies, has promised Damascus extra military aid to thwart the opposition, two military sources said, adding new hardware would start arriving in the next 72 hours.
The Syrian army has been told to follow "safe withdrawal" orders from the main areas of the city that the opposition have entered, three army sources said.
The fighters began their incursion on Wednesday and by late Friday an operations room representing the offensive said they were sweeping through various neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
They are returning to the city for the first time since 2016, when Assad and his allies Russia, Iran, and regional Shi'ite militias retook it, with the insurgents agreeing to withdraw after months of bombardment and siege.
Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander in the Jaish al-Izza opposition brigade, said their speedy advance this week had been helped by a lack of Iran-backed manpower in the broader Aleppo province. Iran's allies in the region have suffered a series of blows at the hands of Israel as the Gaza war has expanded through the Middle East.
The opposition fighters have said the campaign was in response to stepped-up strikes in recent weeks against civilians by the Russian and Syrian air force on areas in opposition-held Idlib, and to preempt any attacks by the Syrian army.
Opposition sources in touch with Turkish intelligence said Turkiye, which supports the opposition, had given a green light to the offensive.
But Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on Friday that Turkiye sought to avoid greater instability in the region and had warned recent attacks undermined de-escalation agreements.
The attack is the biggest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkiye agreed to a deal to de-escalate the conflict.
CIVILIANS KILLED IN FIGHTING
On Friday, Syrian state television denied opposition had reached the city and said Russia was providing Syria's military with air support.
The Syrian military said it was fighting back against the attack and had inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib.
David Carden, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said: "We're deeply alarmed by the situation unfolding in northwest Syria."
"Relentless attacks over the past three days have claimed the lives of at least 27 civilians, including children as young as 8 years old."
Syrian state news agency SANA said four civilians including two students were killed on Friday in Aleppo by insurgent shelling of university student dormitories. It was not clear if they were among the 27 dead reported by the UN official.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow regarded the attack as a violation of Syria's sovereignty.
"We are in favor of the Syrian authorities bringing order to the area and restoring constitutional order as soon as possible," he said.