Morocco Marks 19 Years Since Casablanca Attacks: A Turning Point in Counter-Terrorism

A painful memory for the kingdom, this May 16 has also contributed to the strengthening of Morocco’s security system. During this deadly attack, the 14 terrorists from Sidi Moumen, who were wearing explosive belts, had targeted two restaurants, a hotel and a Jewish cemetery. The toll is heavy: 31 Moroccan civilians, two police officers and 8 Europeans were killed, with about a hundred injured.

Even if the majority of the terrorists, finally killed on the spot, were able to activate their explosive charges, two of them were slowed down in their bloody act. Since that tragic day, Morocco has committed, through various strategies, to counter terrorist attacks. On the evening of the tragedy, the various police services conducted sustained investigations that led to the arrest of hundreds of extremist Salafists directly or indirectly involved in these attacks.

From then on, Morocco created several intelligence and intervention services, including the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) in charge of terrorism, organized crime and drug and arms trafficking. Thanks to the various training of its agents, the kingdom has also forged excellent experience in intelligence, localization and monitoring of radical Islamist movements, both in Morocco and abroad.

According to the same daily, Morocco’s efforts have earned it the recognition of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Center, which considers them the most effective services in North Africa and the Middle East. Thanks to this expertise, the kingdom has been able to dismantle more than 200 cells, thwart several attacks and arrest dozens of terrorists upon their return from Syria, Iraq and Libya since 2003.

In addition to the legislative measures taken against the scourge, Morocco has joined several international conventions against terrorism and signed in particular an agreement with the Spanish, French and Belgian public prosecutors’ offices, which has helped to contain several attacks. In addition, a religious strategy has been initiated and has allowed several trained imams to preach more than ever the Islam of tolerance advocated by the kingdom.