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Jihadist in northern Morocco??? Jihadist in northern Morocco???
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  #1  
Old 27 Feb 2015
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Jihadist in northern Morocco???
According to a Spanish security center, there are jihadist training facilities near Fnideq, Tetouan and Tanger

Source:

Spanish center says that there are jihadist training camps in Fnideq - Maghreb Daily News
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Old 27 Feb 2015
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I wonder if they do free lunches?
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  #3  
Old 27 Feb 2015
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Yes but it will be your last lunch
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Old 28 Feb 2015
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last I hear was that Birmingham was a no go area for anyone not willing to kill for ISIS.

Funny enough, it seemed peaceful as ever last weekend....

Don't beleive everything that is written. I think that is a universal mantra for just about anyone who sets out on a real trip these days.

People are generally good and welcoming. trust in that, otherwise you'd best do it on google earth!

go easy

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Old 2 Mar 2015
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Intelligence report
Hi all,

I am still pondered about this so called intelligence report.
The whole report can be found here:

http://aics-sp.es/.cm4all/iproc.php/...case.pdf?cdp=a

I am writing an article about it on my weblog and would like to hear opinions.

First of all, the report reads like it's been translated from Spanish to English with something like 'google translator'. English is not my native language, can anybody confirm?

Secondly. When googling, I can not find any reference about this so called "Black triangle" Any morocco specialist know this area and what is your thoughts?

Finally. Would this information scare any overlander away from planning a trip to the moroccan countryside? The recent killing of a French national in the Algerian mountains not far from Algiers comes to mind.

Thank you for reading and hope to see some input.
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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THe article is probably nothing more than Political spin from Spain trying to use security concerns to focus attention on the "illegal" immigrants present in this area trying to get into Ceuta or across the straights of Gibraltor.

This part of Morocco is well know as a crossing point and heavily policed as a result. When I was in Fndiq last October 2 coaches of immigrants were parked outside the police station under heavy police guard. Between Tanger Med and Fndiq there are 3-4 police checkpoints. I find ithard to believe there is a training camp with 2500 extremists hidden away in this area.

The "western" media doesn't help by portraying all Islamic countries as hot beds of extremeism. Morocco is anything but that and stories like this will not put me or other travellers who know the country off from visiting
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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Just read the report you posted the link two and made the following observations
  • The written english is bad - possible through using google translate or similar.
  • There is little or no factual evidence to support the statements made (the figure of 2000 appears little more than speculation)
  • ACIS who published the report are a Private Security Consultancy Company
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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Thewarden,

Your contribution is highly appreciated. I also noticed serious security checks both at Ceuta border passage and Tangier Port border passage. I would think this kind of reports are tarnishing the image of Morocco and bad for tourism industry.
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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No problem, it's just my opinion based on what I've seen and read, there are others here who have better insights to the political/security issues in the region.

In the 15 years I've been visiting the country there's only been 2 significant events I recall, the Casablanca attack in 2003 and the Marrakech bombing in 2011.
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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I have grave doubts about the report which is now three months old and has not surfaced in the mainstream press.

> jihadist training facilities near Fnideq, Tetouan and Tanger
This doesn't mean three sites, it's one small area between the three towns. Having criss-crossed this area I wouldn't have described it as "dense forests." The authorities have full control of this area. I don't believe there is the potential for a hidden camp and it's naive of you to believe a report that suggests otherwise.

Security checks are an everyday event. The fact that you mistakenly believe there is something unusual about these just shows you don't know Morocco.

I'm very concerned that you're writing an article about it, but don't really know anything about the subject, and very little about Morocco as a whole. Is it really wise therefore to write about it? What you are doing is creating more fluff about something that probably does not even exist.

And please do not muddy the waters talking about the killing of Hervé Gourdel in Algeria, it has nothing whatsoever to do with Morocco.

Best just to forget about this report.
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Old 2 Mar 2015
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Tim,

I myself have great doubts about this report but it surfaced in Dutch media.

My objective writing an article about it is to debunk it and not to promote it!

Quote:
Security checks are an everyday event. The fact that you mistakenly believe there is something unusual about these just shows you don't know Morocco.
Where did I ever say something like that?

Quote:
I'm very concerned that you're writing an article about it, but don't really know anything about the subject, and very little about Morocco as a whole
That's why before publishing anything, I have come to this place to learn from 'experienced' guys like you.
Also, I never claimed to be a specialist on Morocco.

Quote:
And please do not muddy the waters talking about the killing of Hervé Gourdel in Algeria, it has nothing whatsoever to do with Morocco.
This killing took place not far from Algiers, while most people believe these horrible things only take place somewhere deep in the desert. If there is any credible information in this report, travelers should be aware that places they don't consider dangerous, i.e. so close to Europe's mainland, could be riskily, after all.

Thank you for your contribution anyway
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Old 3 Mar 2015
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Let people with knowledge debunk it.
Write about what you know.

It would be better to write about Morocco as a model country for moderate islam.
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Old 3 Mar 2015
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Thanks Priffe, that is an advice to consider. Have a bad taste from it now anyway.

Regards,

Birima
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Old 3 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Originally Posted by birima View Post
Have a bad taste from it now anyway.

Regards,

Birima
Me too.

to the HUBB by the way.
Just stay in your lane and don't question the wisdom.

Nullius in Verba.
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Old 3 Mar 2015
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Quote:
Just stay in your lane and don't question the wisdom.
The stream of solid advice is endless today.
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