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Tunisian forces kill 7 attackers in new round of clashes New clashes erupt as Tunisian forces battle extremist gunmen
(about 4 hours later)
TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisian security forces have killed seven gunmen in further clashes near the Libyan border, bringing to 43 the number of assailants killed in two days. TUNIS, Tunisia — Extremist gunmen raiding a construction site in search of food battled Tunisian security forces on Wednesday, leaving a soldier and two of the attackers dead in the area’s third day of fighting, the government said.
In their latest statement on Wednesday, the Interior and Defense ministries raised the death toll and said the hunt for jihadis continues after the exceptionally violent attacks on Monday and late Tuesday that killed a dozen members of the security forces and seven civilians around Ben Guerdane. A total of 45 assailants have been reported killed since Monday in an operation officials said is likely to continue.
Security forces supported by helicopters are trying to track down armed attackers who fled and are thought to be holed up in uninhabited houses in the region. Militants have been under pressure with government raids and efforts to track their safe houses.
Information from seven arrested attackers led security forces to arms depots, authorities have said. The latest gunbattle around Ben Guerdane comes as security forces supported by helicopters are trying to track down armed attackers who are thought to be holed up in uninhabited houses. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in a region near lawless Libya where the Islamic State group has a growing presence.
In their latest statement, the Interior and Defense ministries announced the new fighting at the construction site raised the death toll and said the hunt for jihadis continues after the exceptionally violent attacks on Monday and late Tuesday that killed a dozen members of the security forces and seven civilians around Ben Guerdane.
Information from seven arrested attackers led security forces to arms depots, authorities said.
Prime Minister Habib Essid said on Tuesday that some 50 people took part in the attack, most of them Tunisians. However, not all bodies have yet been identified.Prime Minister Habib Essid said on Tuesday that some 50 people took part in the attack, most of them Tunisians. However, not all bodies have yet been identified.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack in a region that has kept security forces on the alert because of its proximity to lawless Libya where the Islamic State group has a growing presence. “We know that the monitoring, verifying, and follow-up operations require time, maybe days,” said Khaled Chouket, the Tunisian government spokesman.
Websites affiliated with IS said militants were handed a tough blow by Tunisian security forces. One website published more than 30 pictures showing militants’ bodies as well as weapons and munitions seized. Websites affiliated with IS said militants were handed a tough blow by Tunisian security forces.
Tunisia has been a model of relative stability for the region since an uprising five years ago ushered in the democratic process and inspired Arab Spring protests against dictatorships across the region.Tunisia has been a model of relative stability for the region since an uprising five years ago ushered in the democratic process and inspired Arab Spring protests against dictatorships across the region.
The Tunisian prime minister said on Tuesday that the attackers wanted to take control of the military barracks in Ben Guerdane, police posts and the National Guard post. He said without elaborating their goal was to set up an “emirate of Daesh,” — another name for the Islamic State group.The Tunisian prime minister said on Tuesday that the attackers wanted to take control of the military barracks in Ben Guerdane, police posts and the National Guard post. He said without elaborating their goal was to set up an “emirate of Daesh,” — another name for the Islamic State group.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, in Cairo on Wednesday, called for a Libyan political deal and a UN-backed unity government as a way to combat Islamic State group.
“The Islamic State is expanding in North Africa, because of the Libyan divisions,” Ayrault said.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.