Anti-Terror Police Arrest Six In Two States

Anti-terror police have arrested six people in connection with an investigation into young men travelling to Syria to fight for the Islamic State (IS).

A spokesman for the US Attorney's Office said they were held in Minneapolis and San Diego on Sunday, and there was no threat to public safety.

He did not give further details about the arrests.

The FBI and US Attorney's Office are due to hold a news conference to announce details of the operation.

Authorities say a handful of residents from Minnesota have travelled to Syria to join IS within the last year. At least one has died while fighting for the militant group.

Four Minnesotans have already been arrested in connection with supporting terror groups in Syria, including IS.

One man, 19-year-old Hamza Ahmed, was stopped at a New York City airport in November as he and three others were attempting to travel to Syria.

He has pleaded not guilty to three charges - lying to the FBI during a terrorism investigation, conspiring to provide material support to IS, and attempting to provide material support.

But there have been no public charges filed against his three companions, and little information has been released about them.

An FBI affidavit said they are aged between 19 and 20.

Since 2007, more than 22 young Somali men have also travelled from Minnesota to Somalia to join terrorist group al Shabaab.