11 killed in Tunisia presidential guard blast

The body of a suspected suicide bomber was found at the scene of an attack on Tunisia’s presidential guard, and the Islamic State group claimed responsibility today for the attack that left 13 people dead.

Following the Tunis attack, president Caid Essebsi declared a state of emergency throughout the country and a curfew in the capital.

ISIS, in a message posed on social media, said that the terrorist attack on Tuesday was carried out by a suicide bomber, BBC reports.

The country’s president declared a month-long state of emergency following the attack.

An Interior Ministry statement said 12 guards died in the blast of 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of explosive located either in the bomber’s backpack or a belt he was wearing.

Journalists commenting on the attack said that Tunisia would not be able totally eliminate the chance of future attacks, which are hard to detect.

In June, 38 people, majority British, where killed when a jihadist gunman went on a rampage at a seaside hotel at a resort in Sousse.

The bus was carrying members of Tunisia’s presidential guard.

“I do believe that the Tunisian state has failed to address political violence and terrorism”, says Amel Boubekeur, an expert with the Jacques Berque centre in Rabat.

Officials said it was not immediately clear what kind of explosive had been used to rip through the bus as guards were boarding to be driven to the presidential palace for duty.

But there’s no doubt that yesterday’s bombing, which killed at least 12 members of the security forces and injured 20, in the heart of the capital has shaken Tunisia to its core.

The United States condemned the latest attack and offered to help the Tunisian authorities with their investigation. Tunisia’s Ministry of Justice issued a statement shortly afterwards warning that journalists who broadcast or promote such images could be prosecuted for undermining the country’s efforts to combat terrorism. He said terrorists are trying to use fear and violence to undermine important gains the Tunisian people have made in pursuit of a democratic, stable and prosperous country.

Tunisia braces to mark five years since the start of its Arab spring revolution that resulted in the ousting of dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Militants are able to preach and recruit more openly than ever, yet at the same time, young Tunisians have said the freedoms and elections have done little to improve their lives.