4 IS-linked suspects arrested in Morocco

Rabat, June 24: Four persons with suspected links to the Islamic State (IS) militant group have been arrested in Morocco, the country s Interior Ministry said.According to the ministry s statement on Thursday, the suspects, arrested in Essaouira city, had pledged allegiance to IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and were planning attacks on the key and tourist sites in Essaouira, Xinhua news agency reported.Police have seized weapons and documents inciting violence, the statement said.Morocco has seen a growing threat from terror groups, especially IS. According to official figures, Morocco busted 19 terrorist cells and arrested 273 suspects in 2016, most of them linked to the IS group.