IS-linked cell in Morocco planned attack in Brussels

Rabat: A recently busted Islamic State (IS) linked cell in Morocco planned terrorist attacks in Brussels, local media reported on Sunday.

Three IS suspects arrested on Friday in the northeastern city of Nador were planning to attack sensitive sites not only in northern Morocco, but also in Brussels, Xinhua cited Le360 news website as saying.

According to an intelligence services source, the suspects coordinated with an IS fighter, who received training in Iraq, to carry out the attack in Brussels.

The Moroccan Interior Ministry announced on Friday the arrest of the three IS suspects in the northeastern city of Nador.

The suspects have received instructions from IS leaders to establish an emirate north of the kingdom and planned to carry out attacks against state institutions, the ministry said in a statement.

They also planned to target "a sensitive site" in the city of Nador as part of their terrorist project, it added.

Dismantling the cell is part of Morocco's proactive efforts to face terrorist threats, the ministry added.

Morocco has seen a growing threat from the IS. The ministry said it has dismantled 31 terrorist cells since 2013 and foiled "numerous terrorist plans" targeting vital national, Arab and Western interests.