North Africa

Fight against Terror: Tunisia does border finished

Several times Tunisia was last year the target of Terror attacks – allegedly by the perpetrators, from Libya arrived. The government reacted quickly and left the border to the neighbouring country to attach – in record time.

In March, the assassination in the national Museum, in June, the attack on tourists in Sousse, in November the attack on a Bus three times was Tunisia 2015 in the crosshairs of terrorists. And each Time led to the trail of the assassins after Libya. In the summer, decided by the Tunisian government, therefore, the border to the neighbouring country to attach the for five years in the Chaos sinks.

Well half a year later the new barrier as good as done. It consists of Sandwällen and ditches, and stretches from the border crossing at Ras Jedir on the Mediterranean coast up to Dhiba 200 kilometres further to the southwest. It is now about half of the border with Libya, especially for vehicles not more easily to cross. The ramparts are several metres high.

Electronic upgrades are planned

So could Tunisia is now “actively and efficiently fight terrorism” and the illegal entry of extremists from the neighboring country reined in, said defence Minister Farhat Horchani now on a visit at the border. And the system should still continue to be upgraded.

Secretary of defense Horchani (Mi) with soldiers: “Actively and efficiently against terrorism”

Together with German and American Militärtechnikern will the barrier now equipped with a monitoring system, reported the Tunisian state Agency Tap, with reference to the information provided by the Ministry of defence.

For the construction of the government after the Terrorattacke in Sousse decided, in June, 38 people died. The Islamist assassins had in front of a beach of the seaside Port El Kantaoui, aimed at foreign tourists shot. The Tunisians in Libya have been trained to be. In the Bürgerkriegsland fight numerous Tunisian extremists in the ranks dschihadistischer militias.

Also the attack on the national Museum in the capital city of Tunis is probably on the account of terrorists of the so-called “Islamic state” (IS). Were involved in the March 20 tourists and a policeman have been murdered. The IS known also to a bomb attack on a Bus in Tunis, in November, twelve members of the Präsidialgarde were killed.

First successes against smugglers

Libya since the overthrow of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 by a numerous armed militias dominated. Two rival governments and parliaments struggle for Power. The United States, according to are now 5000 IS fighters in the North African country.

So far, Tunisia’s 500-kilometre border with Libya permeable for weapon smugglers and militiamen. The new Barrier seems to be already to work: From security sources it has been reported that the plant have already to a decrease in the smuggling.

AR/se (afp/dpa/Reuters)