US State Department Lauds Morocco’s Counterterrorism Efforts in 2019 Report

According to the report, "no terrorist incident was reported in Morocco in 2019". During the same year, according to figures provided by the Ministry of the Interior, "more than 125 people were arrested... and more than 25 terrorist cells were dismantled as they were planning attacks against public buildings, public figures and tourist sites" thanks to information gathered by the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ), the report adds, praising the Moroccan authorities, particularly at airports, for their "excellent ability to detect fraudulent documents".

Morocco’s policy of combating violent extremism has also been highlighted in the report, which commended Morocco for having put in place "a comprehensive strategy to combat violent extremism and radicalization".

Morocco is "a major non-NATO ally", the report further states, indicating that the kingdom is currently co-chairing, with Canada, the Global Counterterrorism Forum, and is an "active" member of the Global Coalition against Daesh.

According to Ambassador Nathan A. Sales, the US Coordinator for Counterterrorism and the preface writer of the report, the United States has contributed to the dismantling of several terrorist networks worldwide. However, threats remain, the ambassador acknowledges, citing the case of the Iranian regime and its satellites that have "continued to plot and carry out terrorist attacks worldwide".