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| Hundreds arrested in Tunisia on third night of violent protests | |
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| More than 300 protesters have been arrested and the army deployed in several Tunisian cities after violent demonstrations swept the country for a third night despite the threat of a security crackdown. | More than 300 protesters have been arrested and the army deployed in several Tunisian cities after violent demonstrations swept the country for a third night despite the threat of a security crackdown. |
| In Thala, near the Algerian border, troops were sent in after protesters burned down the national security building, forcing police to retreat from the town, witnesses said. | In Thala, near the Algerian border, troops were sent in after protesters burned down the national security building, forcing police to retreat from the town, witnesses said. |
| Anti-government protests have raged in towns across Tunisia since Monday, including the tourist resort of Sousse. | Anti-government protests have raged in towns across Tunisia since Monday, including the tourist resort of Sousse. |
| The immediate cause of the unrest is government-imposed price and tax rises, which will raise the cost of basic goods but are said to be essential to cut a ballooning deficit and satisfy international lenders. | |
| Longer-term factors include high levels of poverty and youth unemployment, particularly among graduates. | Longer-term factors include high levels of poverty and youth unemployment, particularly among graduates. |
| While Tunisia is widely seen as the only democratic success story among Arab spring states, it has had nine governments since the overthrow of the authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, none of which have resolved the growing economic problems. | While Tunisia is widely seen as the only democratic success story among Arab spring states, it has had nine governments since the overthrow of the authoritarian leader Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, none of which have resolved the growing economic problems. |
| “Some 330 people involved in acts of sabotage and robbery were arrested last night,” said the interior ministry spokesman, Khelifa Chibani, bringing the number of detainees since the protests began to about 600. | “Some 330 people involved in acts of sabotage and robbery were arrested last night,” said the interior ministry spokesman, Khelifa Chibani, bringing the number of detainees since the protests began to about 600. |
| Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali quits on 14 January, after weeks of demonstrations. The Islamist group Ennahda is legalised in March, and in October it wins 89 of the 217 seats in a constituent assembly in Tunisia's first free election. The assembly elects the former opposition leader Moncef Marzouki as president in December. | Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali quits on 14 January, after weeks of demonstrations. The Islamist group Ennahda is legalised in March, and in October it wins 89 of the 217 seats in a constituent assembly in Tunisia's first free election. The assembly elects the former opposition leader Moncef Marzouki as president in December. |
| In June and August, violent demonstrations erupt, while Islamists start staging attacks. In September, four attackers are killed in clashes at the US embassy as hundreds protest over an anti-Islam film. In late November, riots break out in Siliana, south-west of Tunis, in which 300 are injured. | In June and August, violent demonstrations erupt, while Islamists start staging attacks. In September, four attackers are killed in clashes at the US embassy as hundreds protest over an anti-Islam film. In late November, riots break out in Siliana, south-west of Tunis, in which 300 are injured. |
| In February, the prominent anti-Islamist opposition leader Chokri Belaid is assassinated in Tunis, sparking deadly protests and a political crisis. In July, the leftist opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi is also shot dead. Jihadists claim both killings. | In February, the prominent anti-Islamist opposition leader Chokri Belaid is assassinated in Tunis, sparking deadly protests and a political crisis. In July, the leftist opposition leader Mohamed Brahmi is also shot dead. Jihadists claim both killings. |
| In January, politicians adopt a new constitution after two years of turmoil that exposed a deep rift between Ennahda and the secular opposition. In October, the secular Nidaa Tounes party led by Beji Caid Essebsi comes top in the parliamentary polls. Two months later, Essebsi defeats Marzouki in Tunisia's first free presidential election. | In January, politicians adopt a new constitution after two years of turmoil that exposed a deep rift between Ennahda and the secular opposition. In October, the secular Nidaa Tounes party led by Beji Caid Essebsi comes top in the parliamentary polls. Two months later, Essebsi defeats Marzouki in Tunisia's first free presidential election. |
| The country suffers three attacks claimed by Islamic State: in March, 21 tourists and a policeman are killed as gunmen assail the Bardo Museum in Tunis; in June, attackers kill 38 foreign tourists, 30 from Britain, in a coastal resort town south of Tunis; in November, a suicide bomber kills 12 presidential guards in the capital. | The country suffers three attacks claimed by Islamic State: in March, 21 tourists and a policeman are killed as gunmen assail the Bardo Museum in Tunis; in June, attackers kill 38 foreign tourists, 30 from Britain, in a coastal resort town south of Tunis; in November, a suicide bomber kills 12 presidential guards in the capital. |
| In January, protests against poverty and unemployment erupt throughout the country. It is the worst social unrest since the 2011 revolution. In March, at least 35 jihadists, 11 members of the security forces and seven civilians are killed during an assault on security installations in the town of Ben Guerdane. | In January, protests against poverty and unemployment erupt throughout the country. It is the worst social unrest since the 2011 revolution. In March, at least 35 jihadists, 11 members of the security forces and seven civilians are killed during an assault on security installations in the town of Ben Guerdane. |
| In August, Youssef Chahed of Nidaa Tounes forms a national unity government including ministers from Ennahda and independents. | In August, Youssef Chahed of Nidaa Tounes forms a national unity government including ministers from Ennahda and independents. |
| In December the IMF calls on Tunis to take "urgent action" and "decisive measures" to reduce its deficit, after giving the country a $2.9bn loan the previous year. AFP | In December the IMF calls on Tunis to take "urgent action" and "decisive measures" to reduce its deficit, after giving the country a $2.9bn loan the previous year. AFP |
| The army was also deployed in several other cities, including Sousse, Kebeli and Bizert to protect government buildings that have become a target for protesters. | The army was also deployed in several other cities, including Sousse, Kebeli and Bizert to protect government buildings that have become a target for protesters. |
| Protests have become common in Tunisia in January, the anniversary of the 2011 revolt, which was sparked by the death of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street seller who set himself on fire in a protest over unemployment and police harassment. | Protests have become common in Tunisia in January, the anniversary of the 2011 revolt, which was sparked by the death of Mohamed Bouazizi, a street seller who set himself on fire in a protest over unemployment and police harassment. |
| This year’s protests have drawn in hundreds in each town where they have taken place, though they have been smaller than previous waves of demonstrations since 2011. | This year’s protests have drawn in hundreds in each town where they have taken place, though they have been smaller than previous waves of demonstrations since 2011. |
| On Wednesday, the prime minister, Youssef Chahed, accused the opposition of fuelling dissent by calling for more protests. | On Wednesday, the prime minister, Youssef Chahed, accused the opposition of fuelling dissent by calling for more protests. |
| Chahed, who heads a coalition of secular and Islamist parties, has said that 2018 will be a difficult year for Tunisia but the economy will improve rapidly once the new measures take effect. | Chahed, who heads a coalition of secular and Islamist parties, has said that 2018 will be a difficult year for Tunisia but the economy will improve rapidly once the new measures take effect. |
| International lenders extended a crucial $2.8bn (£2.1bn) loan to Tunisia in 2015, but have demanded cuts to the civil service and a broader austerity programme. | |
| Overseas analysts will be watching closely. Europe is concerned about stability in Tunisia partly because unemployment there has forced many young Tunisians to go abroad. The number of boats smuggling migrants to Italy has been rising and Tunisia has also produced significant numbers of recruits for Islamic State. | Overseas analysts will be watching closely. Europe is concerned about stability in Tunisia partly because unemployment there has forced many young Tunisians to go abroad. The number of boats smuggling migrants to Italy has been rising and Tunisia has also produced significant numbers of recruits for Islamic State. |
| Among the hundreds arrested on Tuesday were two radical Islamists who had helped storm a police station in Nefza town, the interior ministry spokesman said. In Tunis, a crowd stormed a Carrefour market. | Among the hundreds arrested on Tuesday were two radical Islamists who had helped storm a police station in Nefza town, the interior ministry spokesman said. In Tunis, a crowd stormed a Carrefour market. |
| On Tuesday, petrol bombs were thrown at a Jewish school on the southern tourist island of Djerba, home to an ancient Jewish community. | On Tuesday, petrol bombs were thrown at a Jewish school on the southern tourist island of Djerba, home to an ancient Jewish community. |
| Tunisia suffered two militant attacks in 2015 which damaged foreign investment and tourism, which accounts for 8% of Tunisia’s economic activity. | Tunisia suffered two militant attacks in 2015 which damaged foreign investment and tourism, which accounts for 8% of Tunisia’s economic activity. |
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