Interpol: 37 suspected terrorists arrested in East Africa

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Interpol: 37 suspected terrorists arrested in East Africa

The global police body, Interpol, on Monday said no fewer than 37 suspected terrorists, including members of Islamic State, have been arrested across East Africa over the last two months.

Interpol, headquartered in France, said the arrests were made in November and December, 2024, during operations conducted jointly with the pan-African police body, Afripol.

It was reported that the arrests come as concerns mount over a possible resurgence of the ISIS militant group, after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

On New Year’s Day, at least 15 people were killed after a US Army veteran flying an ISIS flag from his truck swerved around makeshift barriers and drove into crowds in New Orleans.

According to the global police, the operations in Africa had resulted in the arrests of 17 people, including two suspected ISIS members in Kenya, and the arrest of a suspected member of ISIS Mozambique in Tanzania.

Others were arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.

“East Africa’s complex landscape, marked by political instability, porous borders, and socioeconomic challenges, continues to provide an environment conducive to terrorist activity.

“These positive results demonstrate the power of international collaboration in the fight against terrorism,” Interpol said.