Morocco arrests two extremists affiliated with ISIS in Midelt and Youssoufia

Two extremists affiliated with the ISIS terrorist organization were arrested on Friday in Midelt and the douar of Douibat in Youssoufia province, based on precise intelligence provided by the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST), the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) announced.

In a statement, the BCIJ said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to counter the dangers of extremism and terrorist threats targeting the security of the kingdom and the safety of citizens.

Preliminary investigations and inquiries, supported by security surveillance operations, revealed that the two suspects, both aged 19, had pledged allegiance to the self-proclaimed leader of the ISIS terrorist organization in preparation for carrying out imminent terrorist plots as part of so-called «lone wolf jihad». The plans allegedly aimed to seriously undermine public safety, public order, and vital infrastructure.

The two suspects have been placed in police custody pending their transfer to the BCIJ, which will conduct the judicial investigation under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office in charge of terrorism cases. The investigation aims to determine the full extent of the extremist activities attributed to the suspects and identify any possible links with various terrorist organizations.