“Today, we are witnessing a major shift in the geographical landscape of terrorism. The terrorist threat has become more complex than in the past, but easier to detect,” Cherkaoui Habboub admits right off the bat, explaining that assessing the current state of terrorist challenges in Morocco requires analyzing data in general and digital data in particular.
This involves monitoring suspicious activities in cyberspace while simultaneously conducting fieldwork, operational activities, and joint security coordination within the framework of international partnerships.
“Morocco and the DGST work in close coordination with all our partners, whether with the United States, Arab and African countries, or European partners,” the security official continues.
Returning to the terrorist threats he outlined, Cherkaoui Habboub cites, first and foremost, the Sahel region, cyberterrorism, the return of Moroccans who left to fight in conflict zones, and lone-wolf actors.
In addition, the head of the BCIJ notes that his agency is also analyzing indicators and factors that contribute to the rapid radicalization of minors.“Currently, terrorist organizations primarily rely on cyberspace, platforms, and social media,” he says.
Rapid Radicalization of Minors
“In all cases handled by the BCIJ and among those brought to justice, there are always minors under the age of 18,” continues Cherkaoui Habboub, noting that the majority of defendants are between 18 and 30 years old, with only rare cases involving defendants over 40.
With very low levels of education, the defendants generally hold unskilled jobs, as was the case in the past when Morocco began dismantling terrorist cells just before the attacks of May 16, 2003.
When asked about the estimated number of Moroccans fighting in the ranks of terrorist organizations in Africa, Cherkaoui Habboub states that there are 130 of them, based mainly in Somalia in the Puntland region.
Terrorism and Separatism
“We have identified nearly 100 Polisario members who have joined terrorist organizations active in the region, particularly AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, ed.),” reveals Cherkaoui Habboub, for whom the financing of these organizations has not changed much: individual contributions to fund trips to Syria via Turkey, Ethiopia, or Mali. Funding may also come from abroad in the form of wire transfers made by leaders engaged in commercial activities or possessing substantial savings.
According to the head of the BCIJ, terrorist organizations also continue to resort to “Al-Istihlal wal Faye” (a theory that legitimizes illicit activities to finance terrorist acts) by attacking bank branches or money transfer services, or even stealing livestock, as was the case with a cell recently dismantled in Morocco.
During this interview, Cherkaoui Habboub reviewed all the mechanisms of international cooperation, whether multilateral or bilateral, in which Morocco is engaged, with the direct and daily involvement of Abdellatif Hammouchi, director of the DGSN-DGST division.
Written in French by Rahim Sefrioui, edited in English by Amina Kadiri
