CrisisWatch Search Results

Authorities 23 Sept announced arrest of 24 suspects in alleged al-Qaeda network recruiting fighters for Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan.

• “Morocco arrests 24 in ‘terrorist network’ crackdown”, AFP, 24 Sept. 2009.

In 30 July anniversary address, King Mohamed VI called for normalisation with Algeria, resolution of Western Sahara conflict through autonomy plan. Abdelkader Belliraj, arrested early 2008 for leading Islamist terrorist network, received life sentence 27 July. Court 17 July postponed trial of Islamist activist Nadia Yassine, prosecuted for calling for republic and “insulting” monarchy, until 2010. 5th delay since 2005.

• “King Mohammed VI reaffirms desire for closer ties with Algeria”, Magharebia, 31 July 2009.

FM Taieb Fassi-Fihri 19 Apr reiterated call to normalise relations with Algeria, reopen border closed since 1994. 43 sentenced to up to 20 years prison 17 Apr in al-Qaeda-linked terrorism trial. Anti-Shiite campaign begun March continued with arrests of alleged Shiites in Casablanca slums.

• “Morocco wants normal ties with Algeria: FM”, AFP, 19 Apr. 2009.

Rabat cut diplomatic ties with Iran 6 March in protest at Iranian official’s comments on sovereignty of Bahrain; foreign ministry also claimed Iran interfering in internal affairs by propagating Shiite Islam. Several arrests late month in govt “morality” campaign to preserve “Sunni Malekite character of Morocco” targeting Shiites, homosexuals; 5 Christian missionaries expelled end month.

• “Morocco severs relations with Iran”, AP, 6 March 2009.

Communications Minister Khaled Naciri 25 Feb repeated King Mohamed VI’s Jan call for Algeria to lift 15-year border closure, promised to address Algerian concerns on security cooperation.

• “Morocco seeks open border dialogue with Algeria”, Magharebia, 25 Feb. 2009.

Several arrested across country as govt claimed further successes in dismantling terrorist cells: govt 12 Dec said 5 reportedly belonging to “Salafist Jihadist” group detained in Berkane early month on various charges including plotting bank robberies to fund terrorist attacks. Abdelilah Ahriz sentenced 18 Dec to 20 years for involvement in 2001 Madrid bombings.

• “Madrid train bomb plotter jailed for 20 years”, CNN, 19 Dec. 2008.

47 convicted for involvement in 2007 Casablanca suicide bombing, while 30 others began trial for links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), including alleged ringleader Abdelkader Belliraj. Rights groups condemned scale of AQIM arrests, alleging most held on flimsy evidence. After 9-year diplomatic effort from Rabat, EU leaders 13 Oct announced plans to grant Morocco “advanced status” and deepen economic, political ties.

• “Dozens jailed over Morocco blast”, BBC, 17 Oct. 2008.

New political grouping Authenticity and Modernity Party, led by royal aide al-Himma, won 3 seats at 19-20 Sept by-elections, fuelling opposition accusations of unfair state backing. Conviction of blogger early month for criticising monarchy condemned by rights groups; 18 Sept acquitted on appeal.

• “Morocco holds legislative by-elections”, African Press Association, 19 Sept. 2008. 

Italian authorities 16 Aug arrested Muslim cleric linked to 2003 Casablanca bombings following 31 July Moroccan extradition request. Govt said 29 Aug had broken up “Fath al-Andalous” terror network.

• “Italy arrests imam linked to Morocco suicide bombings”, VOA, 18 Aug. 2008.

Some 35 arrested in early-month raids across country for al-Qaeda activity. Opposition groups including major socialist and Islamist parties reportedly in talks over possible alliance against new political grouping Movement of Democrats (MD) ahead of 2009 municipal elections. Al Jazeera Rabat bureau chief fined, rights activist jailed 6 months, for falsely reporting deaths in police suppression of riots in southern town of Sidi Ifni in June.

• “Al Jazeera Morocco chief fined”, Al Jazeera, 12 July 2008.
• “Morocco arrests al-Qaeda suspects”, BBC, 3 July 2008.

Security forces sent to retake Sidi Ifni port 7 June after week-long blockade protesting high living costs, unemployment. Parliamentary commission formed to investigate claims of abuses. Al Jazeera Rabat bureau chief charged 13 June with publishing false information regarding alleged deaths. 29 from “Tetouan Cell” sentenced 10 June to 1-8 years for forming terror group with intent to carry out attack, recruiting volunteers to fight in Iraq.

• “Jazeera Morocco bureau chief charged over report”, Reuters, 13 June 2008.  
• “Morocco sentences 29 for recruiting Iraq fighters”, Reuters, 10 June 2008.

Rabat continued campaign to dismantle suspected al-Qaeda-linked cells; crackdown criticised as “disproportionate”, screen for repression. 11 arrested 19 May in Nador and Fez for planning, supporting al-Qaeda attacks abroad; trial began for 27 arrested in Tetouan mid-month. Major labour unions held strikes mid-month protesting rising living costs.

• “Concerns over Morocco’s chase for terrorists”, Mail & Guardian, 18 May 2008.

9 prisoners detained in connection with 16 May 2003 Casablanca bombing escaped Kenitra prison 7 Apr; had earlier condemned “collective punishment” of Islamists. Other Islamist prisoners in same facility began hunger strike. Spain earlier arrested 2 wanted by Morocco for 2003 attacks. Further 26 members of banned Islamic group Justice and Spirituality arrested 31 March.

• “9 imprisoned for Casablanca blasts escape”, AFP, 8 Apr. 2008.

38 defendants began trial mid-month after Feb arrest for alleged links to terrorist network; critics claim several known moderate Islamists included. 44 members of Islamic group Justice and Spirituality, which lacks legal status to organise public meetings, arrested in pro-Palestine marches 8-9 March in northern town Nador.

• “Morocco arrests 44 members of Islamist opposition”, Reuters, 10 Mar. 2008.

Moroccan authorities claimed dismantled terrorist network 21 Feb, after arresting 32 in sweeps 18-20 Feb. Moderate Islamist party al-Badil al-Hadari outlawed 20 Feb for alleged connections to network. Few details of threats released, but Belgium-based Abdelkader Belliraj alleged mastermind.

• “Morocco’s militants”, Economist, 21 Feb. 2008

Close royal adviser Fouad Ali al-Himma launched “Movement for all democrats” 17 Jan – move widely seen as preliminary to creation of new political party.

• “Fouad Ali El Himma crée les conditions de lancement d’un nouveau parti politique”, Aujourd’hui le Maroc, 20 Jan. 2008.

Terrorism court sentenced 7 to 1-4 years for links to May 2003 Casablanca attacks 28 December. 7 others sentenced for receiving training from Algeria’s Groupe Salafiste pour la predication et le combat (GSPC), now core of al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

• “Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb”, Council on Foreign Relations, 11 Dec. 2007.

King Mohammed VI condemned Spanish King Juan Carlos’s visit to Spanish enclaves Ceuta and Melilla; withdrew ambassador from Madrid. Moroccan Senator Yahia detained briefly by Spanish police in Melilla after protesting visit. Security services stepped up collaboration with Algerian counterparts, arresting 3 suspected Al Qaeda in the Maghreb members at Oujda border town 2 Novembe

• “Morocco urges Spain to extend hand to ‘overcome crisis’ in bilateral relations”, AP, 15 Nov. 2007.

New government announced 15 October: alliance between conservative Istiqlal, centre-right RNI, Socialist Union of Popular Forces and leftist PPS. King Mohammed used prerogative to appoint interior, foreign, defence, religious and finance portfolios. PM El Fassi presented program to parliament 24 October. Largest opposition party, Islamist PJD, appointed hardliner Mustafa Ramid parliament group head, promising more forceful role.

• “Morocco chooses new all-secular cabinet”, AP, 15 Oct. 2007.

Parliamentary elections held 8 September with low turnout of 37%. Centre-right Istiqlal Party led with 52 seats in 325-seat lower assembly, closely followed by moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party (46), People’s Movement (41), National Rally of Independents (39) and Socialist Union of People’s Forces (38). King Mohammed V appointed Istiqlal’s Abbas El Fassi new PM 19 September. U.S. signed Millennium Challenge Corporation 5-year aid deal worth $698m, largest amount under program, 31 August. Government cancelled bread price rise after violent protests in Sefou 23 September reportedly left around 300 injured.

• “Maroc, régime hybride”, Libération, 27 Sept. 2007. 
• ‘Moroccan unrest over bread price’, AP, 25 Sept. 2007. 
• “Morocco awaits new government with attention on Islamists”, AFP, 20 Sept. 2007.

Police detained 15 suspected al-Qaeda members 10 July after warnings of imminent terror attack. 2 journalists and army officer detained for alleged leak of secret intelligence on al-Qaeda plot. 11 suspected Islamists sentenced 2-4 years for planning “terrorist acts” 25 July.

• “Moroccan journalists face trial over security leak”, Reuters, 24 July 2007. 
• “Morocco detains 15 terror suspects-minister”, Reuters, 13 July 2007.

Security forces announced break-up of recruitment network for al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb 6 May; 20 arrested. Courts continued to examine those suspected of links to March, April suicide bombers.

• “Casablanca bombings: Six terror suspects appear before the examining magistrate”, MAP, 14 May 2007.
• “Morocco breaks up al Qaeda recruiting gang”, Reuters, 6 May 2007.

Attacks by 2 suicide bombers near U.S consulate in Casablanca 14 April followed death of 4 militants during police raid.

• “New suicide attacks hit Morocco”, BBC, 14 Apr. 2007.
• “Is Al Qaeda's influence spreading to Morocco?”, Christian Science Monitor, 6 Apr. 2007.

Authorities pledged to pursue war against terrorism “without respite” after formerly convicted terrorist Abdelfattah Raydi blew himself up in internet café in Casablanca slum 11 March after discovered to be accessing terrorist sites. Security officials believe Raydi and 12 others planned to blow up foreign ships at Casablanca port and tourist facilities in Agadir, Marrakech and Essaouira; 24 suspects arrested in connection.

• “Terror plot to target tourists in Morocco is foiled”, Scotsman, 26 Mar. 2007.
• “Bombers planned to blow up ships in Morocco –papers”, AlertNet, 22 Mar. 2007.

Government said had broken “terrorist network” after arresting 56 people alleged to belong to previously unknown El Mehdi Support Group and suspected of planning attacks in north.

• “Morocco arrests 56 after foiling militant attacks”, AlertNet, 31 Aug. 2006.

Government launched unprecedented nationwide crackdown on Islamic Justice and Charity opposition movement, after group launched new open recruitment campaign. Authorities raided offices and arrested over 2,000 activists, most of whom quickly released.

• “Morocco launches crackdown on opposition”, ISN, 15 June 2006.

Only 52 countries in UN General Assembly decolonisation committee voted in favour of Baker Peace Plan for Western Sahara 19 October, which Morocco opposes; 89 abstained; claimed by Morocco as diplomatic victory.

• “Rabat wins diplomatic victory in UN on W.Sahara”, Middle East Online, 19 Oct. 2004.
• “Human rights at a crossroads”, Human Rights Watch report, Oct. 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

French interior minister Dominique de Villepin visited Morocco 13-14 September; discussed greater security cooperation. Morocco recalled its ambassador to Pretoria after South Africa recognised Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic (Western Sahara) 15 September.

• “SA recognises Saharawi republic”, Daily Mail & Guardian, 17 Sept. 2004.
• “De Villepin in Morocco for talks on security issues”, Middle East Online, 15 Sept. 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

U.S. President Bush signed Free Trade Agreement with Morocco 19 August. Moroccan intelligence report said 2,000 Moroccan “terrorist elements” under surveillance.

• “Bush signs trade pact with Morocco”, The Daily Star, 19 Aug. 2004.
• “2,000 “terrorists” under watch in Morocco”, Reuters AlertNet, 12 Aug. 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

Morocco told Spanish authorities it had lost track of 400 al Qaeda-trained militants. Government moved to halt rise of radical Islam through construction of 20 state-sponsored mosques; agreed 22 July to set up joint security task-force with Algeria.

• “Morocco lost 400 al Qaeda men”, CNN, 25 July 2004.
• “Morocco, Algeria to set up security cooperation task group”, Arabic News, 22 July 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

U.S. signed free-trade deal with Morocco 15 June, bolstering Kingdom’s status as major U.S. ally. Human rights groups questioned Morocco’s record in Western Sahara.

• “Morocco/Western Sahara: torture of detainees must end”, Amnesty International report, 24 June 2004.
• “US signs free-trade deal with Morocco”, The Washington Post, 15 June 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

Police arrested 3 terror suspects after Casablanca shoot-out, adding to 2,000 arrested on terrorist charges since 2003 Casablanca bombings. King Mohammed VI marked their anniversary 16 May by forming Ulema religious council to “shield” Moroccan Islam from extremism. Further Spanish arrests 10 May took number of Moroccans arrested in connection with Madrid bombings to 15.

• “Madrid and Rabat sign terror deal”, BBC, 20 May 2004.
• “2,000 held over Morocco bombs”, BBC, 12 May 2004.
• For background, see ICG Middle East/North Africa Briefing, Islamism in North Africa I: The Legacies of History, 20 Apr. 2004.

New Spanish PM Zapatero visited Morocco, pledging increased cooperation against terrorism. 14 Moroccan terror suspects remain in Spanish custody

• "King: Morocco has anti-terror plan", CNN, 30 Apr. 2004.
• "Spain visit boosts Moroccan ties", BBC, 24 Apr. 2004.

Police in Tangier searched home of Jamal Zougam, prime suspect in 11 March Madrid bombings. Zougam currently in Spanish custody.

• “Morocco’s shock at Madrid bomb ‘link’“, BBC, 17 Mar. 2004.

King Mohammed greeted enthusiastically on visit to area struck by 24 February earthquake. Authorities’ slow response to disaster had angered public.

• “Cheers as Moroccan king visits quake victims”, Reuters AlertNet, 28 Feb. 2004.

Signs of modest improvement in bleak human rights situation. King pardoned 33 political prisoners 7 January, weeks after announcement that Justice and Reconciliation Commission will be created to investigate past abuses.

• “An Arab first”, The Economist (subscription), 22 Jan. 2004.
• “Pardons of dozens of political prisoners is positive step”, Amnesty International press release, 7 Jan. 2004.

On visit to Rabat, U.S. Sec. State Powell praised Morocco for anti-terror cooperation but voiced concerns over policies adopted at expense of human rights.

• “Powell praises Morocco's anti-terror cooperation”, Reuters AlertNet, 3 Dec. 2003.

Report to UN committee raises grave concerns over rise in torture and ill-treatment of detainees following change in ‘combating terrorism’ laws after May Casablanca bombings. Three journalists convicted of insulting King. Authorities charged 100 people with links to terrorism as part of crackdown on hard-line Islamists. U.S. General and NATO Commander James Jones said Morocco (along with Algeria and Tunisia) potential haven for Islamist extremist groups.

• “Morocco charges over 100 with terrorism offences”, Reuters Alertnet, 3 Nov. 2003.
• “NATO general sees growing terror risk from Africa”, Reuters Alertnet, 4 Nov. 2003.
• “Morocco/Western Sahara briefing to the Committee Against Torture”, Amnesty International, 11 Nov. 2003.

King Mohammed VI announced plans to grant new rights to women regarding marriage and divorce. On three-day visit to Morocco, President Chirac praised King's steps towards democratic reform. Man arrested in Spain in connection with Casablanca bombings. U.S. announced plans for substantial increase in financial aid to Morocco for 2004.

• "Morocco wins boost in U.S. aid for security”, Reuters AlertNet, 28 Oct. 2003.
• “Moroccan King Plans Women's Rights Reform”, The Guardian (AP), 11 Oct. 2003.

In local elections, Islamists of Morocco's Justice and Development Party fielded candidates in only half its stronghold districts; strategy apparently due to fear of public backlash against rapid rise to power of Islamist party. Elsewhere, 27 convicted in connection with May Casablanca bombings.

• “Morocco bombing trial”, The New York Times, 11 September 2003.
• “Fighting not to win”, The Economist, 11 September 2003.

Government rejected latest UN plan to find political solution to 27-year-old conflict in Western Sahara. This provided for referendum within 5 years, offering inhabitants of disputed area choice between independence, autonomy within Morocco or complete integration. Elsewhere, Moroccan court sentenced to death 4 men from Salafia Jihadia group in connection with May Casablanca bombings.

• “Morocco's Salafist Jihad Movement”, Reuters AlertNet, 19 August 2003.
• John Cherian, “Promise of Peace”, Frontline, 30 Aug 2003.