Interpol announced on Monday (27) the arrest of 37 members of Islamic State, Al Shabaab and other radical Islamic groups in an operation in East Africa in November and December..

Among those arrested is a Mozambican who was in Tanzania, according to a statement issued by the international police organization on Monday (27).

According to a AFPThe operation, led by Interpol and Afripol, aimed to "identify and detain suspects linked to terrorism and strengthen key border controls".

Among the arrests announced, in addition to the Mozambican in Tanzania, 17 took place in Kenya, four in the Democratic Republic of Congo and three in Somalia.

The executive director of Interpol's police services wrote in the note that "East Africa's complex landscape, marked by political instability, porous borders and socio-economic challenges, continues to provide an environment conducive to terrorist activities".

Cyril Gout, Interpol's executive director for police services, added that "as these groups seek to expand their reach beyond traditional areas of operation, it is essential that police authorities work together to stay ahead of the curve".

According to Gout, Interpol has the personal information and criminal records of "approximately 135,000 foreign terrorist fighters".

The organization recommended strengthening coordinated border controls to combat terrorism.

(Photo DR)