Since the early hours of Tuesday, authorities report a renewed anti-jihad operation that has involved a close security partnership between Moroccan and Spanish police forces. In this ongoing operation, nine individuals were detained in Melilla and one more in the Moroccan town of Nador, signaling a coordinated effort to disrupt extremist networks that operate across the borderlands of North Africa and Southern Europe. The operation reflects a sustained push by both nations to curb violent extremism and to prevent the recruitment and radicalization of individuals who might support or join jihadist causes.
Police sources cited to EFE describe the operation as a joint endeavor between the General Information Commissariat of the National Police of the Kingdom of Morocco and the General Directorate of Regional Surveillance (DGST). This description underscores not only the tactical cooperation on the ground but also the cross-border intelligence sharing that has become a hallmark of contemporary counterterrorism work. The collaboration aims to ensure that information obtained in one jurisdiction can be rapidly acted upon in the other, reducing the window in which suspects can operate with impunity and strengthening overall security readiness across both countries.
Investigations at the homes of the detained individuals are currently underway as authorities search for further evidence and potential accomplices. The heavy emphasis on house-to-house searches indicates a broad net being cast to uncover a wider network and to identify links between the suspects and other individuals who may be involved in planning or facilitating extremist actions. This rapid, methodical approach is designed to disrupt any forthcoming moves by suspected extremists and to collect material that could prove crucial in court.
According to a statement issued by the Moroccan National Security Directorate General for Regional Surveillance (DGSN), the individuals arrested have professed adherence to extremist ideology and have simultaneously demonstrated a commitment to rallying others to support jihadist objectives. This dual finding—ideological alignment paired with active networking—helps authorities establish intent and connection to potential attacks or recruitment campaigns, facilitating stronger legal action and preventive measures.
One of those detained by police teams was apprehended by the Central Criminal Investigation Bureau in the town on the outskirts of Nador, with other involved parties subsequently detained in Melilla by agents from the Spanish National Police’s General Information Commissariat. The distribution of arrests across two jurisdictions highlights the complex, cross-border nature of many contemporary security threats and the necessity of seamless interagency coordination to prevent and counter such activities in real time.
Among those arrested by Spanish authorities, the National Directorate did not specify an exact count, but one individual faces charges related to terrorist crimes in Spain with notes indicating membership in terrorist organizations operating along the African coast. This detail points to the broader scope of the threat, illustrating how local acts can have international ramifications and how coastal and trans-Mediterrean networks can extend influence well beyond their point of origin. Authorities reiterate that the individuals are connected to groups engaged in extremist activity in the region, reinforcing the need for ongoing vigilance and continuous collaboration across border regions.
Officials emphasize that this joint security operation reflects the sustained and distinguished security coordination between Moroccan security services and their Spanish counterparts. A Moroccan security communications note highlighted that the partnership remains critical to maintaining stability and safety across both nations, underscoring the value of shared intelligence, rapid information exchange, and coordinated tactical responses. The emphasis on cooperation illustrates a practical, day-to-day commitment to thwarting extremist plans and safeguarding communities on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar, now more important than ever as threats evolve and adapt to new environments and networks.