MADRID, June 16 (UPI) -- Spanish authorities have arrested eight members of an Islamist militant cell suspected of recruiting and deploying fighters to aid the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.
Spain, like other European countries, are concerned that militants who travel to conflict zones in Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa will eventually return to Spain to potentially carry out terrorists attacks.
Advertisement
Monday's predawn raid follows the arrest of six Spanish men in May, accused of facilitating the deployment of 26 fighters to Libya, Mali, and Syria.
Spain is currently at a heightened terror alert level in advance of festivities surrounding the proclamation of Spain's new King, Felipe VI, following King Juan Carlos' announced abdication.
Read More
- Spanish King Juan Carlos announces abdication
- Fashionable Princess Letizia, likened to Kate Middleton, to be crowned Queen of Spain
- 4 arrested in Spain for attempting to export dual-use material to Iran
- Six suspected terrorism recruiters arrested in Spain
- Spain: Militants recruited fighters for Syrian rebels