Tunisia: Landmine explosion wounds soldier in Gafsa province March 1

Event

A landmine exploded at Mount Orbata (Gafsa province) on Friday, March 1, wounding one Tunisian soldier amid an ongoing counterterrorism operation in the area. The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Similar attacks are possible in Gafsa province over the near term.

Context

Islamist militants are active in some provinces of Tunisia, particularly in mountainous areas in the west of the country and southern desert areas along the border 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 regions near the borders with Algeria and Libya due to the presence of armed groups.