The Director of Morocco’s Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations, Habboub Cherkaoui, revealed that security forces had dismantled 40 terrorist cells affiliated with the “Lions of the Caliphate in Morocco” after a year-long surveillance operation. In a press conference, Cherkaoui stated that the two terrorist cells dismantled last week in the city of Tamesna and the vicinity of Boudenib in southeastern Morocco were at the heart of a serious and imminent terrorist plot targeting the kingdom, according to the Moroccan news outlet Hespress.
He added that the operatives refer to themselves as the “Lions of the Caliphate in Morocco” and that they were supplied with weapons by a prominent ISIS leader named Abdul Rahman Al-Sahrawi, a Libyan national. He further noted that the weapons seized in Boudenib, near Morocco’s eastern border, were in working condition, with their serial numbers deliberately erased to conceal their origin.
Cherkaoui explained that tracking the operation took approximately a year, relying on advanced technical expertise and satellite positioning to pinpoint the suspected area based on seized geographic data and coordinates. He emphasized that the dismantled cell represented a strategic project for ISIS’s branch in the Sahel, aimed at establishing an affiliate in Morocco.
Investigations led to the arrest of its members across various cities, particularly after they conducted reconnaissance operations to identify target locations. So far, 12 suspects aged between 18 and 40 have been arrested. A key common factor among them, according to Cherkaoui, is their educational background: eight did not progress beyond secondary school, three only completed primary education, and one dropped out after the first year of university.
He further stated that Moroccan security forces had dismantled over 40 cells directly linked to terrorist groups operating in the Sahel region. Cherkaoui warned that the presence of Moroccan leaders within terrorist organizations in the African Sahel, whether in ISIS or Al-Qaeda, signals future threats, given the growing appeal of extremist ideologies. He revealed that more than 130 Moroccan fighters have successfully joined terrorist organizations in the Sahel, West Africa, and the Horn of Africa.
Moroccan authorities have confirmed that over 130 Moroccan nationals are currently fighting within ISIS ranks in these regions. Cherkaoui acknowledged that despite efforts to dismantle networks facilitating the recruitment of fighters for conflict zones, ISIS has managed to attract Moroccan recruits, some of whom have been assigned significant leadership roles, particularly in external operations.
On May 14, 2024, Moroccan authorities announced the successful dismantling of a dormant ISIS-affiliated terrorist cell composed of four individuals operating in the cities of Tiznit and Sidi Slimane. The cell members were found in possession of paramilitary equipment, including a tactical vest, helmet, aiming scope, gas mask, extremist manuscripts, and various electronic devices, which are currently undergoing digital forensic analysis. According to Moroccan security officials, the cell had engaged in illicit activities to secure financial and logistical resources in preparation for terrorist operations aimed at undermining national security.
A report published by the United Nations in February 2024 highlighted the widespread presence of thousands of armed militants from terrorist organizations, including ISIS, across critical regions of Africa, particularly the Sahel, the Sahara, and West Africa. The report noted that fighters from “Islamic State in the Greater Sahara” (ISGS), an ISIS affiliate, have exploited regional instability to regroup and use the Sahel-Sahara region as a launchpad for further expansion across Africa, including North Africa and the Maghreb.
This concern is echoed by security authorities in Maghreb states, which frequently report the arrest of infiltrating terrorists and the dismantling of sleeper cells. Recent examples include Tunisia’s security forces, which have apprehended pro-ISIS elements accused of spreading extremist propaganda on social media and plotting attacks within the country. In January, Tunisian courts handed down sentences to several individuals convicted of belonging to ISIS. In March, Tunisian Interior Minister Kamel Feki warned of security threats posed by terrorist groups, including ISIS, aimed at destabilizing the country.
The Maghreb region has become a prime target for ISIS’s expansion efforts, especially amid growing competition with Al-Qaeda. The two groups have intensified their rivalry, seeking to extend their influence following significant losses in the Middle East and Asia. This has led to direct confrontations between ISIS and Al-Qaeda-affiliated cells, as ISIS attempts to assert dominance, bolster its reputation among jihadists, and attract new recruits.
Libya serves as a key example of this expansion, with ISIS establishing three branches there: Wilayat Barqa, Wilayat Fezzan, and Wilayat Tripoli. The group continues to spread its extremist ideology, particularly emphasizing its vision of a borderless “global jihad.” To achieve this, ISIS has ramped up its terrorist operations, targeting civilians, military personnel, and security forces in its areas of influence.
