Local residents said that corpses lay in the street and gunmen hid in homes as night fell, gunfire irregularly heard.
On Monday, Tunisia’s president said that his country was at war after “unprecedented” attacks by terrorists that killed at least 53 people dead near the Libyan border.
It is reported that, terrorists attacked the city of Ben Guerdane at dawn Monday, triggering fierce fighting with the Tunisian army which continued past nightfall.
Officials said 35 attackers, seven civilians and 11 members of security forces were killed.
Local residents said that corpses lay in the street and gunmen hid in homes as night fell, gunfire irregularly heard.
“This is an unprecedented attack, planned and organized. Its goal was probably to take control of this area and to announce a new emirate,” President Beji Caid Essebsi said.
“The attack was an attempt by ISIS terrorists to carve out a stronghold on the border,” said Prime Minister Hassid Essid.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack but two ISIS-affiliated websites said the group members were engaged in the fighting.
Since former dictator Muammar Gaddafi was ousted in 2011 after a NATO military intervention, the growing instability of Libya has been affecting negative into its neighboring country Tunisia.
why do you call Muammar Gaddafi a ‘dictator’ ? yet stand behind Assad ? (i too stand behind him) Qaddafi did more for opressed people from all over the world, then Assad ever will. ISIS in Libya is represented by a high percentage of foreigners……MOSTLY TUNISIANS, BY FAR!!! Essebsi has struck deals with Belhadj, governor of tripoli, who whas LIFG (Al Qaeda) and has ties with Islamist from all sections (shura councils, ISIS etc)….so i prefer a more precise way of writing your articals for those that do not know Libya, or North African ‘politics’ Greetings and blessings