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Morocco busts new IS-linked cell

Xinhua, September 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

Morocco said on Wednesday it has busted a new terrorist cell linked to the Islamic State (IS) group plotting attacks in the country.

According to a statement from Morocco's interior ministry, three suspects had been detained by police in the eastern city of Oujda and the northern cities of Casablanca and Fez.

Investigations revealed that the suspects were planing "several dangerous terrorist projects in stages of preparation," the ministry said.

It added that the cell members, who were linked to the IS supporters "active in Syria and Iraq," planned to attack sensitive and key sites in several cities.

"The cell's chief rented a safe house near the city of Oujda, which was reserved for lodging and preparing remote-detonated explosives," said the statement.

A raid on the property uncovered chemicals that the ministry said could have been used to make bombs.

Morocco is facing a growing threat from the IS. The Moroccan interior ministry revealed that since 2002, more than 160 terrorist cells have been dismantled, which had close ties with terrorist groups active in Iraq and Syria. Endit