Al-Qaida is plotting revenge on Morocco for supporting U.S. efforts in the global war on terror, a terrorist expert claims.
Mohamed Darif, a Moroccan analyst specializing in militant Islam, said Moroccan authorities have dismantled about 70 terrorist cells in the country since 2002.
He said al-Qaida might be seeking revenge against the Moroccan monarchy for supporting U.S. efforts against Islamic terrorist groups, London's pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reports.
Moroccan King Homammed VI after the Sept. 11, 2001 pledged his commitment to the so-called war on terror.
The kingdom, Darif added, was also involved in "extraordinary rendition" programs with U.S. intelligence agencies. He claimed al-Qaida leader and Sept. 11 architect Ramzi bin al-Shibh and former Guantanamo Bay detainee Binyam Mohamed were subjected to harsh interrogation tactics in Morocco.
Moroccan authorities announced Wednesday they uncovered a 27-member cell from al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb plotting attacks on overseas and domestic targets.
Security forces during the arrests seized 30 Kalashnikov rifles, two grenade launchers and other weapons and maps of areas along the Algerian-Moroccan border.