Joint Anti-Terrorism Operation Disrupts Threats Across Borders
A significant counter-terrorism operation conducted by the National Police of Spain in collaboration with Morocco's General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) has resulted in the arrest of one individual in Palma, Spain, alongside two others in Tangier, Morocco. These arrests are linked to a suspected terrorist cell accused of being affiliated with the Daesh (ISIS) organization. The operation, which unfolded on Wednesday, highlights the ongoing threats posed by radicalized individuals and the necessity for international cooperation in combating terrorism.
The individual apprehended in Palma is described as being highly radicalized and was reportedly planning to travel to a conflict zone to engage in jihad. The National Police emphasized that this individual had intentions to carry out a significant terrorist act. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the suspect actively consumed and disseminated propaganda related to Daesh on social media, using these platforms for indoctrination purposes.
This operation, dubbed 'Seula', was executed by the General Information Commissariat with the support of the Provincial Information Brigade in Palma and overseen by the Central Investigation Court No. 3 and the Public Prosecutor's Office of the National Court. The simultaneous arrests in both Morocco and Spain underscore the collaborative effort to dismantle this terrorist cell, which is believed to be involved in planning a terrorist attack in Spain, operating under a model of individual terrorism.
On the Moroccan side, authorities indicated that the two suspects detained in Tangier were implicated in financing and providing logistical support to active terrorist fighters affiliated with Daesh in the Sahel region and Somalia. This connection reinforces the concerns regarding the operational capabilities of this cell and its potential for executing attacks.
Since 2014, the collaborative anti-terrorism efforts between Spain and Morocco have led to 31 operations, resulting in approximately 150 arrests linked to jihadist terrorism. This partnership has proven to be a crucial element in both countries' strategies to neutralize severe threats to national security. Of the total arrests, 83 occurred in Spain and 67 in Morocco, marking a significant impact on the fight against terrorism in the region. The first joint operation, known as 'Azteca', was carried out in March 2014, leading to the capture of eight individuals across five nationalities, highlighting the extensive networks involved in sending jihadists to conflict zones.
As reported by europapress.es.
