Morocco Arrests 5 Sympathizers of ISIS

Members of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) deploy outside a house in the southern city of Errachidia, on September 14, 2021. (AFP)
Members of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) deploy outside a house in the southern city of Errachidia, on September 14, 2021. (AFP)
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Morocco Arrests 5 Sympathizers of ISIS

Members of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) deploy outside a house in the southern city of Errachidia, on September 14, 2021. (AFP)
Members of Morocco's Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation (BCIJ) deploy outside a house in the southern city of Errachidia, on September 14, 2021. (AFP)

Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) services have arrested five sympathizers of the terrorist ISIS group for their alleged involvement in planning individual or collective plots to seriously undermine public order.

The arrests, which took place on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, were carried out on the basis of accurate information provided by the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST), said a statement released by the BCIJ.

BCIJ special forces have initiated their intervention in separate operations targeting the five suspects, aged between 20 and 45 years, in Douar Habata Benmansour in the province of Kenitra, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Dchira in Inzegane Ait Melloul, Bouaboud in Chichaoua and Casablanca, specified the same source.

According to the investigation's preliminary data, each of these suspects had pledged his "allegiance" to ISIS and prepared terrorist plots against vital services in Morocco, using explosive material, or targeting security institutions as part of "individual terrorism" operations.

The probe also revealed that some of the suspects were receiving training in the manufacture of explosive devices, the statement indicated.

Security services seized a shotgun and ammunition at the place of residence of the suspect arrested in Kenitra, in addition to weapons.

The five individuals were placed in custody for further questioning by the BCIJ to shed more light on all terrorist plots and identify potential connections to terrorist organizations abroad.



Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
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Almost Half of Attacks on Heath Care in Lebanon Have Been Deadly, WHO Says

Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)
Smoke rises as a result of an Israeli airstrike on the village of Al-Khiyam in southern Lebanon, as seen from the Israeli side of the border, northern Israel, 22 November 2024, amid cross-border hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel. (EPA)

The World Health Organization says nearly half of the attacks on health care in Lebanon have been deadly since the Middle East conflict erupted in October last year, the highest such rate anywhere in the world.

The UN health agency says 65 out of 137, or 47%, of recorded “attacks on health care” in Lebanon over that time period have proven fatal to at least one person, and often many more.

WHO’s running global tally counts attacks, whether deliberate or not, that affect places like hospitals, clinics, medical transport, and warehouses for medical supplies, as well as medics, doctors, nurses and the patients they treat.

Nearly half of attacks on health care in Lebanon since last October and the majority of deaths occurred since an intensified Israeli military campaign began against Hezbollah in the country two months ago.

The health agency said 226 health workers and patients have been killed and 199 injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and this Monday.