Al-Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb Targets Morocco in New Recruitment Video

Morocco targeted in an Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) video titled "Oh, citizens of Morocco". The 38-minute and 35-second material includes audios from Abu Yasser al-Jazaery, reports Atalayar. Its propaganda content clearly aims to recruit a target audience of young Muslims with obvious warlike intentions.

Morocco is known for its relentless fight against terrorism that has intensified since 2002. According to the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), the Moroccan police have dismantled more than 2,000 "terrorist cells" and arrested more than 3,500 people in connection with "terrorism" cases. In 2019, "more than 125 people were arrested... and more than 25 terrorist cells were dismantled as they were planning attacks on public buildings, public figures and tourist sites," according to figures from the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior.

The kingdom has also contributed to the dismantling of terrorist cells in other countries, particularly France, Spain and the United States. Over the years, Morocco has become a major ally of the United States and Spain in preserving security in conflict zones, particularly in the Sahel region. Since June 2021, Rabat has hosted the headquarters of the UNOCT’s Program Office for Counter-Terrorism and Training in Africa. Morocco has also chaired the International Forum on Counter-Terrorism for the 3rd consecutive time, alongside Canada.