LBCI

Tunisian police arrest suspected jihadists accused of planning attacks

World News

05-09-2014 | 12:43

Share

Share

Tunisian police arrest suspected jihadists accused of planning attacks

2^min

Tunisian police have arrested a dozen suspected Islamist militants said to be planning attacks as Tunisia prepares for the election that is supposed to complete a post-revolution transition to democracy.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said on Friday police had seized explosives and weapons including rocket-propelled grenades destined for Mount Chaambi, where security forces have been hunting Islamist militants for months.

"Police arrested a terrorist group of 12 led by an Algerian and intending to carry out attacks," Aroui said, giving no further details.

Thousands of troops have been deployed since April in the in the Mount Chaambi region, close to the Algerian border, where jihadists who fled a French military intervention in Mali last year have taken refuge.

At least 15 soldiers were killed in attacks on checkpoints in the area in July and, last week, a deputy in Tunisia's transitional parliament survived an assassination attempt in the city of Kasserine, at the foot of the massif.

The small North African state is attempting to avoid the chaos that has followed the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions elsewhere in the region by holding its first free parliamentary election on Oct. 26 following the adoption of a new constitution.

But it is having to face down Islamist militancy, mostly from the al Qaeda offshoot Ansar al-Sharia.

Tunisian officials also worry about arms and fighters spilling over from neighboring Libya, where the weak government is unable to subjugate a multitude of militias who have refused to disarm since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Washington announced last month that it planned to sell Tunisia a dozen Black Hawk attack helicopters worth an estimated $700 million.

REUTERS

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

US Senator Slotkin to LBCI: I'm in support of more money for the LAF

2026-02-17

US Senator Slotkin to LBCI: I'm in support of more money for the LAF

Trump cabinet attends black carpet premiere of Amazon‑backed documentary 'Melania'

2026-01-30

Trump cabinet attends black carpet premiere of Amazon‑backed documentary 'Melania'

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemns alleged IRGC actions as violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty

2026-05-13

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemns alleged IRGC actions as violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty

Indirect talks between US and Iran begin in Geneva: Diplomatic source

Middle East News

2026-02-26

Indirect talks between US and Iran begin in Geneva: Diplomatic source

Videos

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

2026-06-19

Massive Israeli strikes hit South Lebanon under ceasefire conditions

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

2026-06-16

Trump criticizes Israel’s Lebanon campaign, says war has gone on ‘too long’ and floats Syria role in conflict

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Ali al-Taher escalation: Israel weighs airstrikes and ground operations

1

Ali al-Taher escalation: Israel weighs airstrikes and ground operations

Hezbollah on US claims of Iranian control: No one can question our Lebanese identity

2

Hezbollah on US claims of Iranian control: No one can question our Lebanese identity

Drone flies at low altitude over Beirut’s southern suburbs: Report

3

Drone flies at low altitude over Beirut’s southern suburbs: Report

Lebanon PM says restoring sovereignty requires strong state, single army

4

Lebanon PM says restoring sovereignty requires strong state, single army

Lebanon defense minister vows continued efforts to ensure displaced southerners return home

5

Lebanon defense minister vows continued efforts to ensure displaced southerners return home

US Embassy welcomes Lebanon’s updated Media Law, urges further reforms

6

US Embassy welcomes Lebanon’s updated Media Law, urges further reforms

Israel PM calls Turkey's Erdogan 'antisemitic dictator'

7

Israel PM calls Turkey's Erdogan 'antisemitic dictator'

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu

8

Turkey issues arrest warrant for Israel's Netanyahu

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More