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.



Israel Drafts Plan to Annex West Bank Settlements

An Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (Reuters)
An Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (Reuters)
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Israel Drafts Plan to Annex West Bank Settlements

An Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (Reuters)
An Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (Reuters)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has backed calls from his ministers to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank next year after US President Donald Trump takes office.

In recent private talks, Netanyahu said the issue of sovereignty in the West Bank should return to the agenda once Trump is in the White House, according to public broadcaster Kan.

This aligns Netanyahu with coalition members already pushing for such a move next year.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, head of the National Religious Party - Zionism Party and holds a position within Israel’s Defense Ministry where he oversees the administration of the occupied West Bank and its settlements, said Monday that a Trump win would create a “key opportunity” for Israel to impose sovereignty.

“We were close to applying sovereignty to settlements in Judea and Samaria during Trump’s last term, and now it’s time to make it happen,” he said.

“2025: the year of sovereignty in Judea and Samaria,” Smotrich wrote on X, using the biblical name by which Israel refers to the occupied West Bank.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir also welcomed Donald Trump’s victory, saying, “This is the time for sovereignty.”

Trump’s win has encouraged Israeli right-wing leaders to push for annexing and expanding West Bank settlements.

The plan to extend sovereignty over the Jordan Valley and West Bank settlements dates back to 2020, when Netanyahu sought Trump’s approval to move forward.

Kan reported that annexation plans are ready to be implemented.

In 2020, as part of Trump’s “Deal of the Century,” Deputy Prime Minister Yariv Levin’s team, working with US officials, prepared maps, regulations, and a draft government resolution, Kan said.

The plan includes access roads and potential expansion zones for each settlement.

The West Bank is home to around 144 official settlements and over 100 unofficial outposts, covering approximately 42% of the territory, including their jurisdictions. These areas house about 600,000 Israeli settlers.