Combatting Terrorism: Morocco, an Essential Actor

The intervention on Sunday, January 26, which led to the dismantling of a terrorist cell affiliated with the organization Daesh, once again highlights the ongoing threat. It also underscores the professionalism, responsiveness, and proactive nature of the Moroccan security services in the face of the terrorist threat.

The proven expertise and know-how, demonstrated not only in Morocco but also in other regions, are assets that the Kingdom can offer to its partners to address the escalating threat posed by the Daesh network.

Already, Moroccan security services are closely cooperating under bilateral agreements with their American, Spanish, and French counterparts. This fruitful collaboration has repeatedly disrupted terrorist cells on the verge of carrying out attacks.

A recent example includes the dismantling of a cell operating between Morocco and its Northern neighbor in November 2024. This cooperation extends to the wider continental sub-region, especially in the Sahel region.

It is important to note that various Daesh “franchises” are active in the Sahel region, continually enhancing their capabilities for harm, as highlighted by the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, Vladimir Voronkov, in August 2024.

Voronkov also emphasized the “fear” of these groups expanding their influence in the coastal states, spanning a vast territory from Mali to northern Nigeria. This underscores the urgent need for further action within the framework of international efforts to contain this pervasive threat spreading across the continent.

To further enhance cooperation

In this context, Morocco has every reason, through concerted collaboration with Sahel and other states, to be at the forefront in combating the terrorist threat.

Besides the Daesh affiliates targeting the country’s stability, the looming threat to Moroccan truck drivers operating in the sub-region cannot be overlooked. A recent example is the disappearance of four truck drivers in January while traveling between Dori, in northeastern Burkina Faso, and Téra, in western Niger.

Such incidents not only jeopardize the safety of truck drivers but also impact economic exchanges in the region. Morocco, co-chairing the Global Coalition Against Daesh in Africa with the United States, Italy, and Saudi Arabia, has established effective instruments over the years to intervene in a coordinated manner.

Morocco continuously highlights the close link between terrorism and separatism on the international stage, exemplified by the establishment of the UNCTP Program Bureau in the Kingdom in 2021 as part of its commitment. This bureau serves as a specialized training center for law enforcement and border security agents in Africa to combat terrorism effectively.

The emphasis on “border security reinforcement” and “information sharing” as crucial pillars for combating terrorism underscores the significance of securing the economic corridor between the Sahel countries and Morocco under the Atlantic Initiative. This necessitates a consolidated joint effort.

In light of securing the economic corridor between the Sahel countries and Morocco, especially within the Atlantic Initiative framework, a consolidated joint effort is imperative.

Morocco’s pivotal role in the region is crucial for regional stabilization, recognized by the international community and the affected countries. This heightened awareness should translate into concrete actions.

A recognized and acclaimed model

The efficiency and effectiveness of Moroccan security services are globally acknowledged, whether in domestic operations or in cooperation with foreign counterparts, particularly in intelligence sharing.

Morocco, a member of the Global Counterterrorism Forum, is cited as a model and a key player in the global fight against terrorism. The US State Department’s 2023 terrorism report highlighted the Kingdom’s comprehensive strategy in this regard and praised its commitment to regional and international cooperation to combat this scourge and its harmful ideologies.