On Saturday, two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the U.S.
consulate in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. A woman was injured in the
daytime explosions, and the two bombers were killed in the attempted strikes
on the U.S. consulate and nearby American Cultural Center.
A third bomber was arrested as he tried to escape the U.S. consulate.
Officials said the unidentified leaders of the suicide squad were also
arrested. Hours later, they said, police found a suicide explosive belt in a
luxury hotel near the U.S. consulate.
Officials identified the two suicide bombers as Mohammed Maha, 32, and
his brother, Omar, 27, Middle East Newsline reported. They said the two operatives were residents of
Casablanca, and advanced to six meters from the entrance of the consulate.
This was the second time in less than a week that Islamic insurgents
sought to conduct suicide strikes in Casablanca. On April 10, four Al Qaida
operatives were killed, three of them in suicide bombings during a police
operation in the Moroccan port city.
Moroccan security forces have been pursuing at least 10 senior
operatives of an Al Qaida network that sought to strike strategic
sites, including ports, in the North African kingdom. At least 35 people
have been arrested.
On April 13, Morocco's King Mohammed called for regional cooperation
against Al Qaida. The appeal came in a condolence message to Algerian
President Abdul Aziz Bouteflika in wake of the death of 33 Algerians in Al
Qaida suicide bombings around government and police centers on April 11.
"We are ready to work with all the leaders of the five North African
states to ensure the protection of our people and our countries, and protect
against the risks and perils of them turning into a hideous and awful base
for terrorism," Mohammed said.
The U.S. embassy in Algiers has warned Americans of an imminent attack
in the Algerian capital. The embassy said Al Qaida-aligned insurgents could
target the central postal office and state television on Saturday. No such
attacks have been reported.
"According to unconfirmed information, there may be attacks in Algiers
planned for April 14, 2007 in areas that may include the Algiers Central
Post Office, located in central Algiers on Rue Emir El Khettabi, and
Algerian State Television Headquarters, ENTV, located on the Blvd des
Martyrs, among others," an April 13 warden message said.
