Moroccan Counter Terrorism Measures This Year Appreciated Globally

In a world shattered, fractured and bereaved by the depth of mostly asymmetric armed conflicts, the Kingdom of Morocco is the only IR player on the continent and in the world to equip itself with security, legal and operational mechanisms capable of holding back, containing and neutralising the terrorist threat.

From the buffer zone in the Moroccan Sahara, where #Polisario #terrorist attacks target civilians, to DR Congo, via the hostage-taking in Mali, Africa remains a region heavily marked by the proliferation of terrorism. This threat is reflected in the tragic loss of innocent lives on a daily basis, extending its impact to countries such as #Niger, #Mali, Burkina Faso, Kenya and Nigeria.

That said, the Kingdom of Morocco has countered terrorism with effective intelligence services capable of locating any terrorist leader and freeing several hostages, demonstrating unprecedented effectiveness in freeing hostages and securing its territorial integrity.

In just one year, Morocco has contributed :

• In December 2022, to the release of 63-year-old German Jörg Lange, a member of a Berlin-based humanitarian organisation, who was being held hostage by a jihadist group in Mali.

• In January 2023, the dismantling of a cell affiliated to the Islamic State organisation (#EI), made up of three suspects in Spain and Morocco during a joint security operation and one of the "extremist elements" was questioned by the special forces of the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST) in Chtouka Aït Baha.

• In March 2023, to intervention and interpellation procedures in separate and simultaneous operations, having targeted 3 individuals affiliated to Daech, aged between 19 and 28, in Souk El Arbaa du Gharb, Tétouan and Larache.

• In May 2023, the dismantling of a terrorist cell affiliated to Daech comprising three people in the north of the country.

• In May 2023, the two Moroccan cyclists, Abderrahmane Serhani and Driss Fatihi, kidnapped on 1 April 2023 by an armed group on the Niger-Burkinabe borders, were freed thanks to security coordination between Morocco and Nigeria.

• In August 2023, the release of Iulian Ghergut, a Romanian national held hostage in Burkina Faso by the Al-Mourabitoune group affiliated to Al-Qaeda.

• In October 2023, the dismantling of a terrorist group affiliated to the Islamic State that was about to attack the towns of Tangier, Tetouan and Inezgane ait melloul.

• In November 2023, the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Johannis, awarded, by presidential decree dated 6 November 2023, to the Moroccan Intelligence Service, in the person of its Director General, Mr Mohamed Yassine MANSOURI, the decoration of the National Order "The Star of Romania" (grade of Grand Officer).

• In November 2023, a Moroccan drone eliminates the Polisario terrorist leader Abdel Salam Ould Asouillem.

• In November 2023, Morocco arrests a man responsible for false bomb threats in Belgium.

In December 2023, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) arrested an extremist in Farkhana, Nador region, in collaboration with the Spanish police. This security operation was carried out jointly with the General Commissariat for Information. The BCIJ reports to the Directorate General for Territorial Surveillance (DGST).

In December 2023, to the dismantling of a cryptocurrency operation network affiliated to the Islamic State in several regions of Spain with the help of Morocco.

All in all, in the fight against terrorism, Morocco has emerged as a beacon of "coordination" and "synergy". Like a harmonious orchestra, notable successes such as the release of hostages and the dismantling of terrorist cells bear witness to the collective strength of the quest for security. This sincere, serious and collective effort strengthens Morocco's position in the preservation of peace and stability in the world.

— Prof. Mehdi El Karouani