Morocco says eight arrested over jihadist attack plots

Morocco said eight people were arrested over alleged plots to carry out attacks mainly targeting security officials on behalf of the so-called Islamic State terrorist group.

The newly formed Central Bureau of Judicial Investigation, dubbed Morocco’s FBI by the media, said an eight-member “terrorist cell” was dismantled across the country in the towns of Tangiers, Bouznika, Khouribga and Taounate.

The suspects had been in contact with ISIS leaders and given refuge to fighters who had received “intensive training in producing explosives and gang warfare”, the interior ministry added.

It said members of the network, which included women, were planning “a series of terrorist operations” against security officials and sensitive sites, adding that they also had links with former Al-Qaeda fighters in Afghanistan.