Noting that there are 2000 Moroccan nationals in ISIL’s ranks, Mohammad Hassad said Tuesday five of them have assumed high positions in the terrorist group.

Hassad was speaking at a meeting with the members of the Moroccan House of Councilors.

Citing intelligence information, Hassad said that more than 1,000 Moroccans have joined ISIL in Iraq and Syria from the North African country, while the remaining are Moroccan nationals residing in Europe.

The interior minister added that more than 120 ISIL terrorists have returned Morocco and that they are under investigation by Moroccan intelligence services.

Western and Arab officials are fearful that thousands of Arab, European and American citizens fighting for the Takfiri militant group in Syria and Iraq may carry out terrorist attacks once they are back to their home countries.

The ISIL militants have captured parts of northern Iraq since June 10.There are now calls for a coordinated response to defeat the group’s militancy in the Arab country.

Thousands have been killed and one million people have been displaced in Iraq since the ISIL terrorists launched its attempt to seize the country. The onslaught has met a tough resistance by the Iraqi army and people over the past days.

NGD/BA