Two arrested in Lleida and Nador (Morocco) for preparing jihadist operations in Europe

The Civil Guard and the Moroccan authorities have arrested two people possibly related to jihadists belonging to the Islamic State in Syria who were preparing terrorist operations in Europe in Lleida and the Moroccan city of Nador..

According to a statement released by 'Maroc.ma', the official news portal of the Moroccan government, this operation fits within the framework of the “continuous efforts” of Spain and Morocco to “neutralize” terrorist threats to the security of both countries..

The operation has resulted in the arrest of a person in Nador and his partner in Lleida. The two were allegedly preparing to carry out terrorist operations in Europe based on “the instructions of the leaders of this terrorist organization,” the statement from the General Directorate of National Territorial Surveillance of Morocco indicated.

The investigation has also confirmed that the detainees had contact with an illegal immigration network to obtain falsified identity documents with the aim of using them in their terrorist projects.

The Moroccan authorities have highlighted in the statement that this joint operation demonstrates the importance of cooperation in security and intelligence to fight terrorism in a world context marked by the “growing” terrorist threat.