Morocco tightens security to allay public fears
2007-03-13
Following a suicide bombing in Casablanca on Sunday, the Moroccan government reaffirmed its commitment to fighting terrorism in the country.
By Sarah Touahri for Magharebia in Rabat -- 13/03/07
 [Sarah Touahri] Only the suicide bomber, Abdelfettah Raydi, was killed. |
After a terrorist attack at an Internet cafe in Casablanca killed one person and injured four others Sunday (March 11th), many expressed relief at the "limited effects" of the blast. Only the suicide bomber, Abdelfettah Raydi, was killed. An accomplice, identified as Youssef Khoudri, was arrested fleeing the scene. Three others were taken to the hospital for minor injuries. The attack was conducted in Casablanca’s residential district of Sidi Moumen, home to the May 16, 2003, bombers. Officials announced Monday that the Internet café was not the intended target, and that the young men were likely trying to make contact with their terrorist cell when the blast occurred.
Following the attack, Communication Minister Nabil Ben Abdellah told Magharebia that what happened in Casablanca was "fortunately limited", adding that the terrorists had "other objectives". He said his government would continue to fight terrorism with "vigilance and determination" by dismantling terrorist cells and collaborating with the international community.
Ben Abdellah explained that in light of terrorist activities in the Maghreb, and available information on the terrorist threat faced by the region, the government has decided to boost its presence on the ground and increase surveillance in an effort to prevent any activities likely to threaten public safety or property. Checks will be stepped up at transit points and borders, while people and groups suspected of having links with extremist groups will be put under closer surveillance.
The country's security services have been increasing their public presence throughout the country in recent weeks. Police are visible everywhere, on all major streets. Even parking attendants have been ordered to inform the police if they see any suspicious behaviour.
Since February 24th, the security services have been pursuing two men named Mohamed Bakali and Mohamed Agbalou who are suspected of links with terrorist groups, in particular Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. Measures taken by the Moroccan authorities to tackle religious extremism since the May 16, 2003, attacks in Casablanca have led to the dismantling of a number of radical groups and prosecutions for terrorism-related offences.
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jirimi Posted 2007-03-13
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. First of all I would like to condemn the operation which has targeted our beloved country. The Moroccan people are innocent of these destructive acts. I say to those who are to blame, what is your goal? Is it to spread Islam? Islam is innocent of your actions. Is your struggle in the pursuit of demands? What sort of demands are these, that you should kill innocent people? I think that animals live on a higher level than you. Animals have more sense than you, at least they kill for food, as for you, you kill for no reason. Are you looking for paradise? With these actions there is no paradise. Islam is peace and not war. Islam is ease and not hardship. You have disfigured the image of our noble religion. Shame on you.
Majda Posted 2007-03-13
We came very close to "dramatic drama", shadows of the past stand and will haunt us forever, because we all remind this day of May, 16... Those explosions, those victims who died when they were planning the next day's family dinner, or a meeting anticipated in a week(...). Those persons were KILLED against their will, young and old ! Islamists want 100% of people to join Islam by using violence, but they won't succeed, their Islam is false, extremists can keep their distances, we don't want them, and we'll fight if necessary !! I call to journalists who seek the truth, please carry on, we are the voice of the people and we're not those blasted parrots that only repeat what people want to hear !!! Yesterday, when I was getting on the train, I was holding a very strange black packet and everybody was looking at me with questions (it was only a wrapped vase) and there were no security agents to check its contents !! AND YOU CALL THIS SECURITY ! and that's not all... In fact, 4 years ago, after Moulay El Hassan's birth, there were explosions in 5 places in Casa, March 11th a week after the birth of Lalla Khadija, same thing!!! Is this the way those BASTARDS welcome a newborn ? Of course they commemorate the day of March 11 "as it has to be "!!! Greetings ! Majda, a disheartened journalist from her country :-(
gibril Posted 2007-03-14
Maghreb countries should combine to create an "Interpol" to collect and share information about terrorism. Serparate from political divides. A general union of all police and armies of the region could eradicate this fanatical vermin and not leave them one moment's rest. Administrative structures must be separated from their allies and protectors : civil servants, imams, judges and policemen. These young people may be "economically underprivileged or hopeless", but it's not an excuse for killing. There are unemployed and poor people worldwide, but they RESPECT LIFE. If these bearded guys in their djellabas think they will come closer to god because they made them explode in a market or somewhere, they're wrong. GOD PUNISHES CRIMINALS, NO MATTER WHO THEY ARE. And if they expect to be welcomed by 70 virgins, it only shows at what level their religion is.
pol Posted 2007-03-15
I am always calling for vigilance, caution and care and for there to be ever-active, efficient and serious security bodies. I ask from this Maghreb forum 1 - for the Maghreb intelligence services to unite as one body, for the interaction to be vertical rather than horizontal. This process would facilitate the gathering, processing and disecting of information and it could save time. For this process's success in regard to the adminstration concerned there must be an increase in frameworks; constant training and re-training; the introduction of reforms to the general body; and new specialist units assigned in the following manner: specialist agents for terrorism, agents for the Middle East, agents for the Maghreb region and the Southern Sahara. 3 - The Ministry of the Interior must reevaluate national orgnaisations...4 - On the Maghreb level I ask always for effective coordination between the Maghreb security bodies, and to get past the political disputes. 5- Coordination with European bodies and control of air, land and sea travel...Everything is easy unless we want it to be difficult.
Lotfi Haddi Posted 2007-03-15
There is no one excuse to kill innocent people, so screw them! Like Gibril said, administrative structures MUST be separated from their allies and protectors. Many people will agree with this, but how do we reach people, that should have been reached a long time ago? It's difficult, but maybe the Maghreb countries should try to work 'together'? Because they don't... I also really think that many Al-Qaeda troops will unite at the Westeren Sahara, unless they run out of water. Live and let live! Lotfi Haddi, from Amsterdam!
beekeeper Posted 2007-03-15
In my opinion, we have to work on the causes of this scourge. We can arrest people who commit those acts or just plan to but it would be useful to eradicate the roots of the problem. A word to the wise
gibraltar Posted 2007-03-21
I ask the Moroccan government to be more transparent in the investigations on the last attacks.
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