Madrid, March 10 (IANS): Two suspected terrorists were arrested in the Spanish city of Ceuta on Tuesday on suspicion of preparing to launch a terrorist attack in the country, according to the country's interior ministry.

Police forces arrested the suspects, who "formed part of a terrorist cell that was fully prepared and ready to attack on national territory", Spanish news agency Efe reported citing the ministry statement.

The operation to counter the assailants continued as agents conducted searches in two houses in Ceuta.

The investigation is being led and coordinated by the office of the National Court.

Tuesday's arrests come only weeks after an anti-jihadi operation on January 24, in which two pairs of brothers, described by authorities as "radicalised", were apprehended.

The arrests on January 24 were the first in Spain's fight against terrorism in 2015, while last year authorities arrested 40 suspected terrorists, largely in cooperation with Morocco.