Moroccan authorities dismantle Daesh cell

Moroccan authorities have dismantled a Daesh cell that was planning to target “sensitive and vital sites” in a number of cities.

Authorities arrested three men who planned their operations from the Moroccan cities of Fez, Oujda and Casablanca. One of the men arrested has a brother who is currently serving a custodial sentence for his role fighting in Iraq and Syria.

The ringleader rented a safe house to enable members of the cell to prepare improvised explosive devices for their planned operations. Authorities seized chemicals allegedly used to manufacture explosives and weapons during the arrest.

Once carrying out their operations in Morocco the cell planned on retreating to Daesh headquarters in Libya, authorities said.

The Moroccan authorities have dismantled around 160 terror cells since the bombings in Casablanca in 2003.