Tunisia has foiled 15 terrorist operations since summer beach attack

Tunisia’s Interior Minister, Mohammed Najem Gharsalli, has revealed that security forces have foiled 15 terrorist operations since the summer beach attack in Sousse, in which 38 foreign tourists were killed.

“We cannot say when and where these attacks were to take place as it would compromise our intelligence sources and benefit the terrorists,” explained Gharsalli. He made his comments to Anadolu news agency on the fringe of a meeting at the ministry in the capital Tunis.

Asked about raising the security alert level with effect from Tuesday evening, Gharsalli said that it is a normal procedure during holiday periods.

According to the minister, there is some improvement in the security situation in Tunisia, but the security forces are aware of possible threats, especially in the run up to important dates like Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, Christmas and the New Year. Such threats have to be taken seriously, he insisted, especially at a time when terrorist groups in Libya wish to harm Tunisia.

In a related move, President Beji Caid Essebsi has extended Tunisia’s State of Emergency until 21 February. Essebsi announced the original status on 24 November along with a curfew in the Greater Tunis area following a terrorist attack on a security personnel bus which killed 12 officers and wounded 17 others.