Britain to send troops to Tunisia to fight Daesh

Britain will be sending troops to Tunisia to help prevent Daesh fighters from entering the country from Libya, the country’s Defence Minister Michael Fallon revealed yesterday.

“A training team of some 20 troops from the 4th Infantry Brigade is now moving to Tunisia to help to counter illegal cross-border movement from Libya in support of the Tunisian authorities,” Fallon told Parliament.

The move comes after growing Western fears that Daesh will use Libya as a base to plan and implement attacks.

As many as 30 British citizens were killed last year in Tunisia following an attack on a private beach at a holiday resort in Tunisia.

“I am extremely concerned about the proliferation of Daesh along the Libyan coastline, which is why we have been urgently assisting the formation of a new Libyan government,” Fallon said.

Jihadist groups have taken advantage of the political chaos to expand their presence in Libya, while fighters loyal to Daesh have gained control of the coastal city of Sirte.

Western officials say they are looking to launch airstrikes and special operations against the organisation in Libya.

Fallon explained that Britain currently does not intend to deploy ground forces in Libya to carry out a combat role.

“Before taking any military action in Libya, we would seek an invitation from the new Libyan government,” he said.