Tunisia: One person killed in terrorist attack in Kasserine Dec. 15

Event

On Saturday, December 15, suspected jihadist militants killed a person in Sbiba (Kasserine) in an apparent targeted assassination. According to local sources, the victim was the brother of a Tunisian soldier killed in clashes with terrorist fighters in 2016. A heightened security presence is anticipated in the area over the coming days. Further such attacks are possible in the near term.

Context

Islamist militants are active in the southern provinces of Tunisia, particularly along the border area with Libya.

Advice

Due to the terrorist threat, individuals across Tunisia are advised to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities, particularly when visiting sites deemed especially likely to be targeted in an attack (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Certain Western governments advise against travel to the south of the country (i.e. regions on the borders with Algeria and Libya) due to the presence of armed groups.