At least 115 citizens have left Spain so far in 2015 to join militant organizations in Syria and Iraq, the Spanish interior minister said late Thursday, according to World Bulletin.

Interior Minister Jorge Fernandez Diaz said that 14 out of the 115 citizens had been deported back to Spain, nine of whom were languishing in prison, while the remaining five were released.

Spanish security forces arrested at least 566 people since 2004 in 122 anti-militant operations, Diaz said.

“Forty-two suspects linked to militant groups were arrested within first four months of this year,” the minister said.

He said that Spain wished to be a pioneer in the fight against terrorism.

“Spain is fulfilling its responsibilities at national and international levels,” he said.
Source: MENA