ISIS attacks Tunisia in cross-border raid
In a surprise dawn raid March 7, ISIS attacked National Guard, army and police barracks in Ben Guerdane, the first Tunisian town west of the border with Libya. At least 53 people were killed in the figting, including several civilians. The dead included a 12-year-old girl. "Our country is at war against barbarism," said Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi. "This is an unprecedented attack, planned and organized. Its goal was probably to take control of this area and to announce a new emirate." The attack was repulsed, but a curfew has been imposed in Ben Gardane and the border with Libya is closed until further notice. (AP, Libya Observer, ANSA, Al Jazeera, March 7)
The attack comes just a month after Tunisia's government completed the first stage of a "separation barrier" along the Libyan border, which apparently failed to stop the ISIS force. Just days before the Ben Guerdane raid, the UK announced it will be sending troops to Tunisia to help prevent ISIS fighters from entering the country from Libya,
Recent Updates
17 hours 58 min ago
18 hours 8 min ago
18 hours 32 min ago
1 day 20 hours ago
2 days 13 hours ago
2 days 13 hours ago
1 week 1 day ago
1 week 1 day ago
1 week 1 day ago
1 week 4 days ago