Recent Islamist terrorism in Morocco

By Olivier Guitta

In light of the March 11 suicide bombing and the great likelihood of potential attacks in Morocco, it's interesting to take a look at the recent history of Islamist terrorism in the kingdom.
From The Croissant:

How did Morocco get there?

1994:
First Islamist attack in Morocco against the Asni hotel in Marrakesh

2002:
Arrest of a group of Al Qaeda terrorists including scores of Moroccans and 3 Saudis that trained in the Faruk camp in Afghanistan
They had planned to attack British and US ships in the Strait of Gibraltar with explosive-laden Zodiacs

May 16, 2003:
5 simultaneous suicide attacks bloodied Casablanca
The perpetrators are:
Moroccans coming from the area of Sidi Mumen in Casablanca
plus possibly one Emirati and one Saudi though unconfirmed by authorities

March 11, 2004:
The Madrid bombings, executed mostly by Moroccans

August 2006:
The mysterious group Ansar Al-Mahdi suspected of preparing large-scale attacks is dismantled

2006-2007:
Dismantling of cells sending combatants to Iraq and Afghanistan

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