Italy terrorist raids 'target 20'
BBC

Police in Italy are targeting up to 20 people in anti-terror raids ordered by a Milan court, it has been reported. Officers are searching for foreign nationals suspected of preparing suicide attacks in Afghanistan and Iraq, according to Ansa news agency.

The agency said warrants had been issued for about 20 people but it was not clear how many had been arrested. Some of those targeted were outside Italy and had been named in European arrest warrants. Two men were arrested in Britain and others were being held in France, officials said.

Police conducted dawn raids in several cities in northern Italy including Milan, Bergamo and Reggio Emilia. The accused are alleged to have been setting up cells to recruit and assist suicide bombers for missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, Italian media reported.

Long-distance triggering devices for explosives and instruction manuals for conducting guerrilla warfare were found. The suspects are also accused of illegal immigration and falsifying identity documents.