Rabat - Morocco’s security services and the Spanish Civil Guard announced on Friday arresting a group of eight terror suspects in a joint operation.

The joint operation between the Spanish Civil Guard Intelligence Service and Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) resulted in the arrest of a group of young people who had been radicalized by ISIS, according to a joint statement from the two security services.

Eight people were arrested during the operations in the Spanish enclave of Melilla as well as in Spanish cities like Madrid, and Malaga. 

Morocco and Spanish security agencies have intensified joint efforts to fight against terrorism.

On Monday, another joint operation led to the arrest of a suspect who reportedly created and disseminated terror content in Cornella, Barcelona.

On July 2, Spanish police, in coordination with Morocco’s security services, identified and arrested eight other suspects in Alcobendas, in Melilla, as well as San Sebastian de Los Reyes in Madrid and in Malaga.

As part of the security agencies’ proactive measures to ensure public safety, the Spanish security services opened an investigation in 2023 to determine links between a group of people and terror groups.

The group allegedly used private messaging groups to disseminate propaganda material to indoctrinate third parties into terrorist organizations and encourage violent actions.

The investigation revealed evidence indicating that the suspects were forming a terrorist organization.

The group’s members were involved with extremist and violent terror groups.

The operation is part of cooperation between Morocco and Spain to address security threats and the scourge of terrorism.

The new cooperation is also part of Morocco’s commitment to continue to boost counterterrorism efforts as well as all other forms of criminal activities.

Morocco frequently calls for a shared responsibility to address terrorism threats across the country.

In May, the country emphasized the importance of its counterterrorism approach during a meeting held on Monday by the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ).

During the event, Morocco’s ambassador to Vienna Azzedine Farhane stressed the country’s “holistic and integrated” strategy in addressing terrorism and transnational crime, noting that the country’s approach includes bolstering security measures, addressing the root causes of extremism through poverty reduction, and promoting religious tolerance.