Morocco arrests alleged IS recruiter

Morocco Interior Ministry Tuesday arrested a member of a recently busted terrorist cell in the cities of Casablanca and Boujniba, who was involved in the recruitment of Moroccan fighters for Islamic State (IS).

The interior ministry said in a statement that investigations found that the suspect is involved in terrorist activities of an IS-related cell that was dismantled on May 19.

The statement said that the terrorist cell was plotting dangerous criminal schemes, including the establishment of a rear base in mountainous regions where they can launch terrorist operation.

According to the interior ministry, the arrested members of the cell, who failed to join the camps of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in northern Mali in 2011, plotted to perpetrate attacks against military barracks, police and gendarmerie stations as well as other security forces in order to seize weapons.

The statement added that the terrorist cell was plotting with Moroccan fighters to establish dormant cells in the North African country, which aimed to perpetrate terror attacks against sensitive sites in the country with financial and logistical support from IS.

The arrested members of the cell will be brought before justice upon completion of investigations under the supervision of the General Prosecutor, the Moroccan authorities said. Endit