The Kingdom of Morocco: world leader against terrorism
An annual review of the achievements of Morocco's fight against terrorism at national and international level:
In a world torn apart, fractured and mourned by the depths of mostly asymmetrical armed conflicts, the Kingdom of Morocco is the only actor in international relations on the continent and in the world to have equipped itself with security, legal and operational mechanisms capable of curbing, containing and neutralising the terrorist threat.
Indeed, from the buffer zone of the Moroccan Sahara, where Polisario terrorist attacks target civilians, to the DR Congo, to hostage-taking in Mali, Africa remains a region heavily marked by the proliferation of terrorism. This threat is reflected in the tragic daily loss of innocent lives, 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 tracking down 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 German national Jörg Lange, 63, a member of a Berlin-based humanitarian organisation, who was being held hostage by a jihadist group in Mali.
- In January 2023, in the dismantling of a cell affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) organisation, composed of three suspects in Spain and Morocco during a joint security operation and one of the "extremist elements" was interrogated by the special forces of the Direction Générale de la Surveillance du Territoire (DGST) in Chtouka Aït Baha.
- In March 2023, to intervention and interrogation procedures in separate and simultaneous operations, targeting 3 individuals affiliated to Daech, aged between 19 and 28, in Souk El Arbaa du Gharb, Tétouan and Larache.
- In May 2023, to the dismantling of a Daech-affiliated terrorist cell composed of three individuals in the north of the country.
- In May 2023, the release of the two Moroccan cyclists, Abderrahmane Serhani and Driss Fatihi, kidnapped on 1 April 2023 by an armed group on the borders between Niger and Burkina Faso, thanks to security coordination between Morocco and Nigeria.
- In August 2023, release of Iulian Ghergut, a Romanian citizen kidnapped in Burkina Faso by the Al-Mourabitoune group, affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
- In October 2023, dismantling of a terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State that was to attack the cities of Tangiers, Tetouan and Inezgane ait melloul.
- In November 2023, the President of Romania, Klaus Werner Johannis, awarded, by presidential decree dated 6 November 2023, 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" (rank 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) arrests an extremist in Farkhana, Nador region, in collaboration with the Spanish police. This security operation was carried out jointly with the General Commissariat of Information. The BCIJ is part of the Directorate General of Territorial Surveillance (DGST).
- In December 2023, dismantling of a cryptocurrency operations network affiliated with the Islamic State in several regions of Spain with the help of Morocco.
In short, 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 attest to the collective strength of the quest for security. This sincere, serious and collective effort reinforces Morocco's position in preserving peace and stability in the world.
Mehdi EL KAROUANI
Professor of Geopolitics