Morocco brings back 8 nationals from Syria

RABAT, Morocco

Moroccan authorities have brought home eight nationals from "conflict zones" in war-torn Syria, according to the interior ministry on Sunday.

In a statement, the ministry said the return of the eight was part of Morocco's "contribution to the international efforts in the fight against terrorism."

The ministry said the returnees will be questioned over any possible connection to terrorism.

The statement, however, did not give details about from where the eight had been deported or about their identity.

Moroccan security spokesman Boubaker Sibek said in earlier statements that the return of Moroccan Daesh fighters from Syria and Iraq "was posing a challenge to the country's security".

He estimated that there were around 1,692 Moroccans fighting with Daesh, adding that only 242 of them had been arrested.

* Writing by Ali Abo Rezeg