Moroccan security forces have arrested a 21-year-old woman suspected of plotting a major terrorist attack in Rabat, in a case that highlights the ongoing threat of jihadist radicalisation and the importance of international intelligence cooperation.
The Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations (BCIJ) confirmed on Friday that the suspect, a student at a technical college, was apprehended in the capital following a joint operation between Morocco’s General Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DGST) and French intelligence services.
According to the BCIJ, the woman is affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group and was allegedly in the advanced stages of preparing a large-scale attack, targeting a place of worship in Rabat.
Authorities believe she had begun training in the production of explosives and toxic substances and had acquired various materials to carry out the planned assault.
Security forces who conducted the raid discovered flammable chemicals, extremist literature, and documents inciting religious fanaticism and violent radicalism.
The authorities said these materials provided clear evidence of her intentions and the depth of her ideological indoctrination.
Currently in police custody, the suspect is being investigated under the supervision of the public prosecutor’s office responsible for terrorism-related cases.
The probe aims to uncover the full extent of her radicalisation, the methods of her recruitment, and whether she maintained connections with jihadist networks either within Morocco or abroad.
Officials have underscored that the operation demonstrates the continuing effectiveness of Morocco’s counterterrorism strategy, which relies on proactive intelligence gathering and robust international partnerships.
The arrest also highlights the enduring vigilance of Moroccan and French security agencies in confronting transnational terrorism threats, particularly those posed by individuals influenced by extremist ideology.
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