French counter-terrorism units have detained at least 10 people suspected of recruiting religious extremists and sending them as fighters in the insurgency in Iraq.
French authorities say four of the suspects were arrested Wednesday. They are being held with at least six others detained Monday.
Authorities launched an investigation last year to determine if extremists are running a network in France recruiting Islamic militants to fight U.S. forces in Iraq.
French officials began the investigation last September after the deaths of a number of French Muslims there.
The French news agency, AFP, says intelligence agents believe between 15 and 30 French nationals are combatants who have joined insurgents in Iraq. Four have been killed in clashes with U.S. forces.
Some information for this report prepared by AFP and AP.