12 killed in militant attack on Tunisian presidential guard

ISIS have claimed a militant identified as Abu Abdullah al-Tunisi smuggled a bomb onto the vehicle to slaughter “apostates”.

“I proclaim a state of emergency for 30 days under the terms of law and a curfew in greater Tunis from 9:00 pm (2000 GMT) until 5:00 am tomorrow”, Essebsi said in a televised address, according to AFP.

The death toll in an explosion targeting Tunisia’s presidential guard has risen to 13 and the perpetrators remain unidentified, the interior ministry said.

Earlier this month, Tunisian authorities announced the dismantling of a cell that it said had planned attacks at police stations and hotels in the seaside city of Sousse, about 150 kilometers (95 miles) southeast of Tunis. The attack was later claimed by ISIS militants, thus showcasing the increasing influence that the Islamic State has in the region. “There are two main priorities, first the need to renew the Tunisian approach on terrorism, and also renew the approach when it comes to addressing political violence”.

In March, IS gunmen attacked the famous Bardo Museum in Tunis, killing more than 20 people.

The Islamic State armed group this Wednesday claimed responsibility for the bombing that happened in a busy area of Tunis, just a few hundred metres from the interior ministry.

The attack on the bus carrying Tunisia’s presidential guards involved about 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of military explosives, the ministry added.

The explosion destroyed the bus and blew out windows in a high-rise building nearby.

The members of the Council expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this heinous act and to the Government of Tunisia. The movement stressed that it would stand by the national security and army forces in its confrontation of terrorist gangs and called for supporting these national forces and improving their abilities and preparedness.

Tunisia has been plagued by Islamist violence since the 2011 overthrow of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, and dozens of members of the security forces have also been killed.

However, the group has not yet declared an official branch in the country.

One of the most secular Arab countries, Tunisia has enjoyed relative stability since its uprising compared with neighbours Libya and Egypt. It has a new constitution, held free elections and established compromise politics between secular and Islamist parties that has allowed some progress.