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| Africa North | |
| At least 14 Tunisian troops killed in mountain attack | |
| 2014-07-19 | |
At least 14 Tunisian soldiers were killed when gunmen with rocket-propelled grenades attacked two checkpoints in the remote Chaambi mountains, the deadliest militant strike on the north African country’s armed forces.
Militants ambushed the checkpoints on Wednesday night, killing the soldiers as they were breaking their fast for the evening during the holy month of Ramadan, the Defence Ministry said. More than 20 soldiers were wounded. “It was two simultaneous terrorist attacks when they were breaking their fast. Bodies of nine burned after they were hit with an RPG. Five more were shot.” said Col. Major Souhail Chmangi, chief of army land forces. “This is open warfare.” Another soldier is missing after the attack, but authorities could not confirm if he had been kidnapped. Tunisia has struggled with the rise of militants since the 2011 popular revolt ended the rule of autocrat Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali and began its fragile steps towards democracy. Militants calling themselves Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade claimed responsibility on a social media site. That claim could not be verified, but Tunisia says the group is operating in Chaambi and is tied to Al Qaeda’s North Africa wing. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, the North Africa branch, has also claimed attacks in Tunisia in the past, but another militant group, Ansar Al Sharia, listed as a terrorist organisation by Washington, is also active. The mountain range is tough terrain with access into Algeria allowing small groups of fighters plenty of cover. Tunisian forces conducted several raids there and have bombarded caves after eight soldiers were captured and killed last year. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |