Police officer killed in a violent assault during a raid in Imzouren, Morocco

A Moroccan police officer has been killed in the line of duty during a joint security operation in the northern town of Imzouren, in Al Hoceima province.

Security Guard Hamza Zaam (also referred to as Hamza Al-Zaam or El Zaam), a member of the Anti-Gang Brigade of the Al Hoceima Regional Security Directorate, died after being shot with a hunting rifle by a suspect who violently resisted arrest. The officer passed away while being transported to hospital. A door-opening technician involved in the operation was also injured.

The operation, carried out on Monday with the support of a Royal Gendarmerie unit, targeted a 25-year-old man wanted under 20 national arrest warrants. The suspect was sought in connection with serious crimes including drug trafficking, attempted intentional homicide, forming a criminal gang, unlawful confinement, and violence.

During the intervention, the suspect opened fire on members of the National Security and Royal Gendarmerie forces before being neutralized and arrested. He has been placed under judicial investigation ordered by the competent public prosecutor’s office. Authorities are examining the full circumstances of the incident and any possible links to networks involved in illicit drug trafficking and violent crime.

In recognition of his sacrifice, Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, has granted Zaam an exceptional posthumous promotion. The General Directorate of National Security (DGSN) issued an official statement mourning the “martyr of duty.”