(VOVworld) - French police have arrested eight people suspected of having ties with networks recruiting young French nationals for jihad in Syria.

French police arrest suspect during an anti-terrorism operation in Lunel. Five people were arrested in the town last week. (photo:AP)

Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve said the suspects were arrested in the northern suburbs of Paris and Lyon. About 1,300 French citizens have links to recruitment cells for Syria and Iraq. 400 of them are already fighting alongside militants. Since the attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris and subsequent kidnappings which resulted in 17 deaths, the French government has strengthened security measures to protect its citizens.