Morocco in the sights of Sahelian jihadists

The recent Moroccan-Spanish counterterrorism operation dismantled a cell affiliated with Daesh in the Sahel, which was planning terrorist attacks in both countries. The latest searches by our Intelligence services and security forces reveal a worrying fact: the center of gravity of jihadist terrorism has moved from the Middle East to the Sahel, an area much closer to us. In this region, a competition is intensifying between two large organizations: the GSIM (affiliated with Al-Qaeda) and the EIGS (linked to the Islamic State).

The latter maintains connections with the Polisario, where it recruits fighters and executives. If these groups are not currently aiming for geographic expansion towards the North, they are seeking to recruit and establish networks in Morocco.

Furthermore, with the strategic rapprochement between Morocco and the Sahelian countries in recent years, the fight against terrorism in this region has become a priority for the Kingdom.

Find the full article in our edition from Monday November 25 2024available on newsstands.