FCO - change of terrorism threat level
 

Fwiw, the Brit FCO has raised the threat level a notch in Morocco, I presume for a good reason.

https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...occo/terrorism

Not great news with my next trip in 4 weeks

I'm going in 2 weeks, so...

With the numbers of tourists in Mk, I would not worry, especially where we like to go. But it's as well to be aware. I imagine any targets will be mainstream tourist venues, as they were in Tunisia.

I'm not especially worried, but this year I'm leading a group and we have some first timers who worry a bit more

The threat level for France and Spain was already at the same 'high' level without anyone getting too concerned.

Now Morocco has been raised to the same level. :(

Any threat would likely emerge in tourist areas such as central Casablanca, central Marrakech or the beach at Agadir/Essaouira.

On the positive side the Moroccan authorities are more 'on the ball' than those in Tunisia. I wouldn't be too concerned in the sand dune areas close to the Algerian border as these are already very heavily policed.

I'm heading over to Morocco and Western Sahara in a few weeks time. I'm not too concerned though. I generally dislike cities so I tend to avoid them (even in Europe) and I'd expect the touristy parts of the big cities to have the highest risk of attack.

As mentioned in this article, compared to other countries like Tunisia, the Moroccan government does seem to have quite a strict approach when it comes to combating terrorism.

Islamic State: Could Morocco be the next target for Isis or Al Qaeda jihadis in north Africa?

National borders mean very little
 

Some time ago ISIS/ISIL put out a propaganda statement to the effect that they want "the Moors" to retrieve their land from El Cid and his ilk.

Libya was to be a jumping off point in the effort to "occupy" Spanish space but it turns out that Italy and Greece are easier to reach from there.
Maroc would make a far better start point to access Spain.

Maybe I will go to Spain next to illustrate my complete lack of concern.

We'll be heading out to Morocco as usual next month.

Peter

:offtopic: but maybe ISIS should see how the Amizigh feel about the Arab invaders in North Africa

Anyway back on topic everyone :D

FCO?!
 

Maybe they should actually visit places and walk around, engage with locals etc
(ensuring that one gets seen to supposedly be doing something, is not doing it)
Roll on the autumn for Morocco and Western Sahara, hope to see loads of you.

I would guess that the alert level went up as a precaution due to the elections being held. If so it's likely it will drop back down sometime soon-ish.