Moroccan authorities this month arrested a dozen people they said were planning attacks on behalf of the Islamic State in the Sahel, a region south of the Sahara Desert, officials said Monday. The discovery of the terrorist cell and what authorities called an “imminent dangerous terrorist plot” reflect the expanding ambitions of extremist groups in the region.

Authorities in the north African nation said they had dismantled a 12-member cell that was planning attacks on behalf of the jihadist group's regional franchise. View on euronews

Morocco's counterterrorism agency said on Monday it had foiled attacks against national and international targets in the country by a 12-member cell loyal to Islamic State in the Sahel. The operation underscores the threat emanating from jihadist militancy in the Sahel,

The level of vigilance must remain high to neutralize and thwart terrorist plans targeting Morocco, said Boubker Sabik, spokesperson for the National Security and Territorial Surveillance services, in a press briefing on Monday,