Morocco: dismantling of a terrorist network

RABAT - Five people suspected of belonging to a terrorist cell operating between Morocco and Spain have been arrested since the beginning of the week in Morocco

• RABAT - Five people suspected of belonging to a terrorist cell operating between Morocco and Spain have been arrested since the beginning of the week in Morocco, said Friday a security source in Rabat.
  
      There are five men belonging to the radical movement ‘Salafiya Jihadya’ whose leader is nicknamed ‘Abou Yacine,’ added the same source.
  
      The cell was operating between Morocco and Spain. The five suspects are of Moroccan origin and live in Ceuta (Sebta), a Spanish enclave on the Mediterranean coast of Morocco, according to this source.
  
      Abou Yacine, whose age was not specified, was born in Tetouane (Northern Morocco). He had been arrested in Morocco in 2006 as part of the dismantling of the cell ‘Ansar El Mahdi’ (Supporters of Al Mahdi) of Hassan Khattab.
  
      Sentenced to 2 years in prison, Abou Yacine was released in 2008.
  
      The five people arrested are also accused of trafficking drugs and vehicles between Spain and Morocco, added the same source.
  
      The Moroccan security services have seized three vehicles and documents in connection with the ‘Salafiya Jihadya’, and the investigation is still ongoing.
  
      The dismantling of this network occurs a few weeks after that of May 12, a cell in gestation called ‘Jamaat Al Mourabitine Al Jodod’ (Group of new fighters).
  
      This cell was present in different cities of Morocco and of planning attacks, according to official sources.
  
      The eight suspects in this group, who were spun for a long time, were arrested in Guelmim (about 280 km south of Agadir) Laayoune (Western Sahara) and Boujdour (180 km south of Laayoune).
  
      
  Ennaharonline/ M. O.