In its fight against violent extremists, Morocco arrested 27 people, including a member of Al-Qaeda's branch in North Africa for planning terrorist attacks in the kingdom, it said.

    The article's author Jennifer Rubin noted that the network was led by a Moroccan national who is a member of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and who wanted to create a rear base in the country for terror attacks.

    Citing an article by the New York Times, Rubin recalled that knife-wielding gangs attacked, in November in the desert city of Laayoune, about 130 miles from Amgala, unarmed Moroccan security officers, killing 11.

    Analysts feared that the violence would provide an opening for Al-Qaeda to establish a greater foothold in the region, it added.