Tunisian forces kill 5 alleged extremists in security sweep

UK media says suspected IS militants planned ‘imminent’ attack on tourists; Tunis ramps up security measures after beach massacre

By AP and ToI Staff 12 July 2015, 12:01 am Edit
Tunisian security forces patrol a beach in Sousse, south of the capital Tunis, on July 1, 2015, as Tunisia started deploying armed police around tourist sites following last week's massacre in Port El Kantaoui by a jihadists gunman. (AFP /BECHIR TAIEB
Tunisian security forces patrol a beach in Sousse, south of the capital Tunis, on July 1, 2015, as Tunisia started deploying armed police around tourist sites following last week's massacre in Port El Kantaoui by a jihadists gunman. (AFP /BECHIR TAIEB

Tunisia’s security forces led a counterterrorism sweep in a mountainous central region on Friday, killing five suspected extremists, as Western governments were calling their nationals home from a country they deem unsafe.

Tunisian Interior Ministry spokesman Walid Louguini told The Associated Press that a gunfight erupted Friday morning as a special national guard unit chased eight suspected extremists in the Ouled Bouomrane area. He said the operation was ongoing.

According to an unverified report in the UK’s Daily Mail, an intelligence tipoff prompted Tunisian security forces to target the suspected Islamic State sympathizers in the sweep who were “on the verge” of carrying out an attack against foreign tourists. The Mirror reported that the three other suspected jihadists escaped.

The army and national guard operation came a day after Britain’s government urged all UK tourists to leave Tunisia because an extremist attack was “highly likely,” saying the North African country hasn’t done enough to enhance security.

British tourists line up at the check-in counter at the Enfidha International airport in the Tunisian capital Tunis on July 10, 2015 after the British Foreign Office advised tourists to leave the North African country by saying it was unsafe for holidays. (AFP/ FETHI BELAID)
British tourists line up at the check-in counter at the Enfidha International airport in the Tunisian capital Tunis on July 10, 2015 after the British Foreign Office advised tourists to leave the North African country by saying it was unsafe for holidays. (AFP/ FETHI BELAID)

Thirty British tourists were among 38 victims killed by an Islamic extremist at a beach resort in coastal Sousse on June 26. An attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis in March left 22 dead, mostly foreign tourists.

Many Western European tour operators have suspended trips to Tunisia following the Sousse killings.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid, speaking in a parliamentary debate, said his government “did everything in our power to protect [British] citizens and their interests, as well as those of all other countries.”

On Saturday, Tunis announced it deployed 100,000 security personnel to protect the country and prevent new attacks, including 3,000 dedicated to protecting beaches, hotels and archaeological sites.

Kamel Jendoubi, the minister heading the national crisis group set up after last month’s massacre, said Tunisian authorities have arrested 127 suspected terrorists since the June shooting.

“Since the attack, the security forces have carried out more than 700 operations resulting in the arrests of 127 suspected members of terrorist gangs,” Jendoubi said on Saturday.

France’s Foreign Ministry on Friday urged its citizens in Tunisia to be “particularly vigilant” but stopped short of urging departures. Germany, two of whose citizens died in the Sousse shooting, made no immediate change to its travel advice.

Ireland, Denmark, Belgium and Finland all discouraged citizens from non-essential travel to Tunisia.

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