Morocco at the Forefront of International Efforts to Combat Islamic Terrorism
The French magazine VSD highlighted Morocco’s leading role in combating terrorism both nationally and internationally in its latest issue, emphasizing the comprehensive approach adopted by the Kingdom to address terrorist threats.
In an article titled “International Islamic Terrorism: Morocco on the Front Line,” it stated that the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance (DGST) serves as the backbone of this strategy, directing security operations and intelligence coordination through an integrated institutional framework, supported by special forces, modern technologies, and highly qualified human resources. Commissioner Abdelilah El-Hinzi noted that international cooperation is a fundamental pillar in the fight against terrorism, enabling the Kingdom to effectively neutralize terrorist networks and dismantle their organizational and financial structures.
The magazine recalled the suicide attack that occurred on May 16, 2023, in Casablanca, resulting in the deaths of 33 civilians and injuries to nearly a hundred others. This incident prompted the launch of a comprehensive plan to enhance national security, which included legal restructuring, programs to combat extremism, strengthened international collaboration, and economic and cultural dimensions to counter terrorism. VSD highlighted that Morocco succeeded in dismantling 102 terrorist cells comprising 1,727 individuals, including women and children, identifying the sources of their activities in regions such as Syria, Iraq, Libya, and Somalia.
On the scientific and technical front in the fight against terrorism, the magazine emphasized the pivotal role of the national laboratory overseen by Hakima Yahya, utilizing the latest scientific tools for analyzing forensic and biological evidence, which enhances the effectiveness of investigations and reinforces Morocco’s position within international INTERPOL networks. It also pointed to the importance of the Criminal Identity Service led by Asma Boumbarak in tracking evidence and revealing execution methods, thus supporting the institutional performance of security agencies.
The magazine stressed that Morocco does not solely focus on security aspects but also places considerable importance on educational and cultural dimensions in combating extremism through rehabilitation programs and increasing community awareness to prevent the spread of extremist ideologies, ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of security efforts in the long term.
VSD concluded by stating that Morocco’s success in facing terrorism relies on meticulous institutional coordination, qualified human resources, advanced scientific techniques, and ongoing international cooperation, positioning the Kingdom as a leading model in the region for countering transnational terrorist threats.
