( CNN ) -- Authorities in the United Arab Emirates arrested seven people suspected of belonging to a terror cell associated with al Qaeda , the official news agency WAM reported Thursday . The group is accused of planning to carry out attacks that would `` undermine the security of the homeland , '' the report said . The cell also allegedly planned to recruit new members , promote the work of al Qaeda and raise funds to help the network extend its activities to other countries in the region , the report said . State security prosecutors will investigate the case before the suspects are brought to trial , it said . All seven are of `` Arab nationalities , '' WAM reported . In December , the same state-run news agency reported the arrest of members of a suspected terrorist cell that was allegedly aiming to carry out attacks in the UAE and Saudi Arabia . Those suspects were said to be citizens of both nations .
They are accused of plotting attacks that would `` undermine the security of the homeland '' including a possible attack on U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan or against American interests around the world.'' It also allegedly planned to raise funds to help extend its activities .