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The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strongest condemnation and denunciation of terrorist plots that sought to undermine public order and the safety of individuals and property in Morocco, according to an official statement released Tuesday. The ministry commended Moroccan security agencies for their efficiency in thwarting the threats and praised their role in maintaining stability. It also stressed Saudi Arabia’s complete solidarity with the Moroccan government and people in confronting such dangers.
The ministry’s statement reiterated the Kingdom’s unequivocal rejection of all forms of terrorism, extremism and any attempts to destabilize Morocco, a position it described as consistent with its broader policy against violence. Saudi officials wished Morocco ongoing security, stability and prosperity in the face of these challenges. The announcement followed closely after Moroccan authorities publicized their success in disrupting the advanced-stage plots.
Moroccan authorities on July 6 announced they had foiled the terrorist plots and arrested 10 suspects in coordinated operations across seven cities, the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations reported. The bureau, operating under the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, identified the suspects as linked to a cell receiving support and guidance from the ISIS branch in the Sahel region. Those detained included a former convict under anti-terrorism laws and a minor who had received direct instructions to execute attacks while remaining in Morocco.
The operations took place in Agadir, Taroudant, Tetouan, El Hajeb, Fquih Ben Salah, Casablanca and Safi based on precise intelligence, according to the Moroccan bureau’s statement. Suspects had been coordinating logistically with the Sahel ISIS faction, which ordered them to advance plots inside Morocco instead of traveling to the group’s foreign strongholds. The bureau emphasized that the plots had reached advanced preparation stages before intervention prevented harm to public order and citizens.
Comparable statements of condemnation and solidarity were issued by the foreign ministries of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan within the same 24-hour period, each body reported through official channels. The UAE’s statement specifically highlighted the plots’ connection to the Daesh Sahel branch and commended Moroccan services for identifying those involved. These parallel responses illustrate coordinated regional support for Morocco’s counter-terrorism measures.
Saudi Arabia and Morocco maintain longstanding bilateral cooperation on security matters, with the two kingdoms regularly aligning positions against extremism through joint forums and intelligence sharing, according to patterns observed in past official exchanges. The latest Saudi statement aligns with previous expressions of support following similar incidents in the Maghreb region. Moroccan officials have described such foiled plots as part of persistent attempts by external terrorist networks to exploit regional vulnerabilities.
