MADRID (AP) — Spain's Interior Ministry says police have arrested two alleged pro-jihad activists, including one who allegedly attempted to join the armed Islamic State group in Syria to be trained to carry out attacks in Europe.

A ministry statement said the two Moroccans were arrested separately Monday in the northwestern city of Valladolid and in southeastern Murcia.

The ministry says one of the men became indoctrinated on the internet and traveled to Turkey's border with Syria to join the IS group and be trained. He was arrested by Turkish police, but later released.

The ministry says he returned to Spain and resumed contacts with the second Moroccan, who was helping him try to enter Syria again.

Spanish police have arrested dozens of people for alleged links to extremist groups in recent years.