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.



Emirates Airline to Resume Flights to Beirut

Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300ER planes are seen at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo
Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300ER planes are seen at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo
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Emirates Airline to Resume Flights to Beirut

Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300ER planes are seen at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo
Emirates Airline Boeing 777-300ER planes are seen at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates February 15, 2019. REUTERS/Christopher Pike/File Photo

Emirates airline will resume flights to Beirut on February 1 after a four-month suspension triggered by conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a statement said on Friday.

The Middle East's biggest airline will first offer a daily return flight and scale up to two services per day from April 1, AFP quoted the statement as saying.

Emirates will also resume a daily flight to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, from February 1, it added.

The Dubai-based, state-owned carrier was one of several regional airlines to suspend Beirut services in late September as tensions soared between Israel and Hezbollah.

A truce came into effect on November 27, ending over a year of hostilities.