Al Hoceima: Officer Hamza Zaâm Killed, Given Posthumous Promotion
Security officer Hamza Zaâm, of Al Hoceima's anti-gang brigade, was killed during an operation to arrest an armed suspect in Imzouren. He was granted an exceptional posthumous promotion.
Security officer Hamza Zaâm, a member of the anti-gang brigade (BAG) of Al Hoceima's regional security department, was killed on Monday, September 7, 2026, shot by a wanted suspect armed with a hunting rifle during a joint operation with the Royal Gendarmerie in the Imzouren neighborhood to arrest a 25-year-old man. Abdellatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, decided to grant him an exceptional posthumous promotion in recognition of his sacrifice in the line of duty.
Details of the arrest operation
The suspect was wanted under 20 national arrest warrants for drug trafficking, attempted murder, forming a criminal gang, kidnapping and violence. When National Security and Royal Gendarmerie officers attempted to arrest him, he violently resisted and opened fire on them with a hunting rifle, fatally wounding officer Hamza Zaâm, who died while being transferred to hospital. A door-breaching technician was also injured. Security forces ultimately managed to neutralize and arrest the suspect.
An exceptional promotion to honor his sacrifice
In a gesture of tribute, the Director General of National Security granted the late officer an exceptional promotion to a higher rank, as part of the DGSN's policy of honoring officers who fall in confrontations with organized crime and armed networks.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the risks faced by security forces when tracking armed suspects, particularly in northern regions affected by drug trafficking networks. The exceptional promotion reflects a security policy aimed at valuing personnel within the security services, at a time of rising confrontations between National Security forces and armed gangs involved in serious crimes across the country.