Morocco Raises Security Alert Level

Morocco has raised its security alert amid the threat of an Al Qaida strike.

Moroccan security sources said authorities have raised the threat alert to Code Yellow in wake of an intelligence report that Al Qaida-aligned insurgents have infiltrated the North African kingdom. They said the insurgents intend to conduct a series of attacks in Morocco.

"We believe that the terrorists have come from Algeria," a security source said.

The sources said Code Yellow, one below the highest level of alert, required authorities to increase security at all installations regarded as critical and sensitive. They said this included Western embassies and diplomatic residences.

Following the recent movements of terrorist groups in the region, Morocco has taken the required measures to ward off any attempts to harm the security and stability of the country and to guarantee the security of its citizens and their properties.

The statement was made Thursday by Communication Minister, Spokesman for the Government, Nabil Benabdellah who quoted Interior Minister, Chakib Benmoussa as saying that such measures take into account the events and operations that took place in the region, and the dismantling of a number of terror networks.

These measures are also geared towards "raising the level of awareness of the public opinion about these dangers and mobilizing everyone for the protection of our country," Interior Minister said during the weekly cabinet meeting held this morning.

Benmoussa also assured that these actions are purely domestic.

They affect the transit points in ports and airports, and aim to raise the vigilance against the movements of the cells watched over by the security services due to the significant upsurge of the degree of threats weighting on the region, he said.

The minister’s statement came few hours after the announcement, Thursday, of the arrest of seven alleged members of the group "Salafia Jihadia" in the Moroccan central city of Meknès.

Reliable source told MAP the group members are aged 24 to 26 and are university-educated. They were allegedly preparing to commit criminal and terror acts against military bases, universities, hotels and government buildings.

Four of them were released, while three others were kept in custody pending further investigation.



Tags: Moroccan Morocco Fes, Maghreb news