2nd LD: Morocco foils IS terrorist attacks, arrests 10 people

Morocco's interior ministry said Thursday that security services have foiled "dangerous" Islamic State (IS) terrorist attacks and arrested 10 suspects, including a French national.

The cell, which was directed by IS leaders, was about to carry out a suicide car bomb attack, before authorities acted on "precise tip-offs," the ministry said in a statement.

The cell also planned to recruit more extremists and launch a guerrilla war, the statement said.

The mastermind of the cell was arrested inside a "safe house" in the city of El Jadida, about 190 km southwest of Rabat, and a considerable amount of weapons and ammunitions were seized, the statement said.

Authorities seized four machine guns, three revolvers, an automatic pistol, a rifle, and 13 teargas canisters, the statement said.

During the operation, the police also seized four expandable batons, an electric Taser, six plastic bottles containing chemicals which could be used to make explosives, an IS flag, in addition to bladed weapons and military uniforms, according to the statement.

The investigations revealed that the group had recruited a teenager to carry out a suicide car bomb attack, and was planning to recruit more teenagers.

The dismantlement of the cell comes amid growing threats from IS Moroccan fighters to undermine the country's security and stability.

The ministry said it has busted 31 terrorist cells since 2013 and foiled "numerous terrorist plans" targeting vital national, Arab and Western interests. Endit