Morocco arrests 52 IS suspects

Fifty-two people suspected of having links with the Islamic State (IS) have been arrested in a nationwide operation in Morocco, the country's Interior Ministry said.

Moroccan security services led on July 19 a coordinated operation targeting 143 individuals suspected of having propensity to extremism and pledging allegiance to the IS, a statement said on Wednesday, Xinhua news agency reported.

The ministry said the suspects used social networks to spread IS propaganda and send minors to conflict zones.

It said the operation also led to the seizure of weapons, nail boxes and electric wires used to manufacture explosive devices, it said.

The ministry added that since 2002, 159 terrorist cells have been dismantled, which had close ties with terrorist groups that are active in Iraq and Syria, including the IS.