Spain Arrests Eight in ’ISIL’ Cell

Local Editor

Spanish police arrested eight people on suspicion of recruiting militants to fight in Syria and Iraq in the Spanish city of Madrid, the government said on Monday.

Spain's interior ministry said in a statement that the cell found and dispatched recruits for militants from the so-called "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" [ISIL] militants based in Syria and Iraq.

The leader of the cell had been held at the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba after being arrested in Afghanistan, a statement said.

Police have so far launched 12 raids, detaining eight people, and the investigation remains open, the ministry further said.

Spain's government has said it fears fighters may return to Spain from Syria and other conflict zones under the influence of al-Qaida-inspired groups, presenting a threat of attacks.

Spanish police have carried out a series of raids against suspected militants in recent months.
On March 14, Spanish and Moroccan forces arrested seven suspects as they broke up a cell suspected of sending volunteer fighters to Mali, Syria and Libya.

Sources: News Agencies, Edited by website team