Morocco Dismantles Terrorist Cell, Foils Dangerous Plots

 Morocco's Interior Ministry says that 1,212 Moroccans belong to terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. At least 100 have been arrested on their return. (File photo: Reuters)
Morocco's Interior Ministry says that 1,212 Moroccans belong to terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. At least 100 have been arrested on their return. (File photo: Reuters)
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Morocco Dismantles Terrorist Cell, Foils Dangerous Plots

 Morocco's Interior Ministry says that 1,212 Moroccans belong to terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. At least 100 have been arrested on their return. (File photo: Reuters)
Morocco's Interior Ministry says that 1,212 Moroccans belong to terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria. At least 100 have been arrested on their return. (File photo: Reuters)

The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) in Morocco dismantled on Thursday a terrorist cell with suspected links to ISIS, and foiled its imminent and dangerous plots. This serves the relentless efforts to fight terrorism and protect Morocco against sabotage.

BCIJ carried out security operations simultaneously in the cities of Tangier, Tiflet, Temara and Skhirat, which resulted in the arrest of five suspected extremists aged between 29 and 43 years old.

One of the suspects arrested in Tiflet fiercely resisted security forces, injuring one of them with a sharp tool, said the BCIJ.

Another suspect arrested in the town of Temara tried to blow himself up with a large gas cylinder, which forced security forces to fire four bullets, stun grenades, and smoke bombs to blur the suspect's vision to apprehend him.

Three explosive belts, 15 bottles containing chemical materials, 2 electric detonators, electronic equipment, chemical powder, and electric cables were among the dangerous equipment seized during the operations, the BCIJ said.

The research and investigations carried out reveal that the head of the terrorist cell had planned, along with other suspects, to carry out terrorist operations targeting several facilities and sensitive sites, using explosive devices and belts to destabilize the security and stability of the North African kingdom.



US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
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US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)

US forces conducted strikes in Syria against Iranian-aligned militia groups for a second day in a row Tuesday in response to further attacks on US personnel, US Central Command said late Tuesday.

In the latest retaliatory strikes, US forces hit a weapons storage and logistics facility after militia groups launched a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi in Eastern Syria.

Earlier Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that over the weekend the militias had also targeted US personnel with a drone attack and indirect fires at another base, Green Village, where US troops are operating — which prompted the US to strike nine militia targets on Monday in self-defense.

There are about 900 US troops deployed in Syria. No US troops were injured in either attack.