Conflict escalates in Tunisia

(Baonghean.vn)-On Thursday, October 23, Tunisian authorities announced that one policeman was killed and another was wounded in a shootout with a “terrorist group” at a house in the town of Oued Ellil, located about 15 kilometers west of the capital Tunis. It is known that on Sunday, October 26, Tunisians will go to the polls to elect a new parliament for this North African country.

A policeman was killed on October 23 in a shootout with a “terrorist group” in Oud Ellil, a suburb of the capital Tunis. Photo: Aimen Zine

“We received information that explosives were found in a house in the town of Oued Ellil. There were at least two men, two women and a child in the house,” said Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui. The people in the house were allegedly preparing to carry out an attack to disrupt the upcoming October 26 election.

According to the revelations of two terrorists arrested a few days ago in Keblli - an area located 500 km from the capital Tunis, an attack targeting the upcoming elections was being planned in a house in the town of Oued Ellil. As soon as the information was confirmed, Tunisian security forces ordered a siege of the house. Mr. Mohamed Ali Aroui demanded the release of the hostages held by the men in the house. As of noon on October 23, gun battles between the suspects and the army continued.

Terrorist activities have been on the rise in Tunisia since the “Jasmine Revolution” began in January 2011. More than 50 soldiers and police have been killed in attacks by armed groups near the Libyan-Algerian border. Since December 2012, Tunisian security forces have failed to repel Islamist extremists in the Chaambi Mountains near the Algerian border. The area is also known to be a hideout for other terrorist groups.

In the face of increasing attacks and arrests, security has been stepped up around government buildings, ministries, agencies and embassies. To reassure voters, a number of security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the upcoming parliamentary elections on October 26. On Monday, the Interior Minister also confirmed that “terrorist attacks aimed at disrupting the elections have failed.”

Chu Thanh -According to LeFigaro October 23