Islamic State Cell Rolled Up In Spain

Spanish National Police on Saturday raided the homes of two sets of brothers accused of being Islamic State supporters in the city of Ceuta on the North African coast. Police reports describe the four men, identified as Farid Mohammed Al Lal, Mohammed Al Lal, Anwar Alli Amzal, and Roudouan Amzal, as “strongly radicalized” and “intending to self-immolate” if needed. The four men are of Moroccan origin and were stated as having a very similar background to the men who carried out the Charlie Hebdo attack earlier, as well as being well trained and mentally prepared to carry out such an attack. Reports indicate that the four had been active in recruiting for Islamic State online, and had called for attacks in Western countries. Troublingly, none of the four had been to Syria to fight for IS, which raises questions about where the cell’s  apparent training was acquired.

Police found a handgun, machetes, combat uniforms, Spanish license plates, and documents when they carried out the raid. Thus far, no links have been made with the Paris attackers and the Islamist radicals captured in Belgium, though police officials claim that some of the Belgian suspects had traveled to Spain in the past. Spanish police have managed to capture some 50 jihadists over the past year, including arrests of seven Islamic State recruiters and nine militants in the North African exclave of Melilla. ISIS has also made videos in the past directly threatening Spain by calling for the “liberation” of the former Muslim held territory.