Morocco tightens border control to ward off infiltration of terrorists from Libya

Morocco has tightened control of its borders, especially with Algeria, to ward off infiltration of terrorists from Libya, local media reported on Thursday.

Citing security sources, Moroccan daily Al Massae said that the measures came following the launch of the U.S. airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) militants in Libya and concerns over attempts of its fighters to infiltrate into Morocco.

The sources said the measures were also driven by the fact that many IS fighters are Moroccan nationals.

Morocco is facing a growing threat from the IS.

Last month, the Moroccan interior ministry revealed 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.

（APD）