Morocco has an “increased threat” of terrorism with extra guidelines and advice issued to Britons planning a holiday in the African state. The country welcomes around 650,000 visitors from the UK every year, with the UK Government eager to stress many are “trouble free”. Yet following the murder of two foreign nationals in December, the authorities have deemed the danger to be more severe. As a result, they have ramped up their guidelines ahead of summer holiday season.
After arresting four individuals in relation to the murders, which happened when the tourists were hiking near Mount Toubkal, Moroccan police told how one confessed links to “an extremist group”.
The Moroccan authorities, coupled with the FCO, have subsequently warned of an increased threat linked to the number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to the Daesh group (formerly referred to as ISIL) and other extremist groups.
The FCO stated some attack targets in Morocco include government installations, public spaces and tourist sites.
Its Gov.uk website now reads: “ Terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Morocco.
“You should be vigilant at all times.”
The advice added: “Protective security measures, including security personnel, may be visible in certain areas including hotels and sites popular with tourists.
“There’s considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria.”
Meanwhile, Morocco has seen a host of high-profile visits of late, from royals and politicians alike.
Heavily pregnant Meghan Markle and Prince Harry paid visit to the African nation in February.
They were travelling with an entourage of nine including three press staff, two assistant private secretaries and a hairdresser.
It is also understood medical provisions were made for Meghan, who is just months away from her due date in late April or early May.
Yet their schedule was disrupted as violent protests broke out in Morocco earlier in the week.
Emergency “exit plans” were reportedly been devised by protection officers and British security services called for extra resources to protect the couple.
Meghan and Harry’s visit to Morocco was at the request of the British Government, as the UK attempts to strengthen ties with nations outside of the EU post-Brexit.
