Morocco dismantles cell of female Islamic State extremists

10 women arrested in simultaneous operations in towns across country; detainees suspected of planning attacks

By AP 3 October 2016, 6:13 pm

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A view of a street in Rabat, Morocco (CC-BY SA Nawalbennani/Wikimedia Commons)

RABAT, Morocco — Morocco’s Interior Ministry says authorities have detained 10 women linked to the Islamic State group who are suspected of plotting suicide attacks and trying to recruit other women to join the extremists.

The ministry said in a statement Monday that the Central Bureau of Judicial Investigations dismantled the cell of women extremists in operations in eight towns.

The ministry chemical products seized at the home of one suspect could be used in explosives.

The women allegedly declared allegiance to IS, and some have family ties to Moroccan fighters with IS in Syria or Iraq, the statement said. The women are in custody pending further investigation.

Radicalization among disenchanted youth is a growing problem in Morocco, and authorities have stepped up operations against suspected IS cells.