Terror Attack in Tunisia Claims 6 Police Officers

Uqba bin Nafi Battalion, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb’s (AQIM) branch in Tunisia, claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on Tunisian police officers on Sunday. At least six officers were killed in a barrage of grenades and gun-fire near Ghardimau in the Jendouba Governate while patrolling the Algerian-Tunisian border. This is the first attack the group has claimed since last December when the group used improvised explosive devices to attack soldiers on patrol in the Mount Chaambi region. In 2017 the terror group only claimed 2 attacks, a welcomed slow-down when compared to previous years, all thanks to tough combative efforts by Tunisia and its allies.

AQIM started in in the early 1990s as Armed Islamic Group in Algeria aimed at overthrowing the Algerian government after Algeria’s French backed military cancelled elections. Following heavy losses to the French counterinsurgency and a loss of popularity among the local populace, the terror organization became an ally of al-Qaeda in 2006 in an effort to revitalize the organization and gain popularity. They have cooperated with other terror groups within the region in recent years leading some to fear formations of further alliances. However, within the past year, Uqba bin Nafi has seen the loss of two commanders, the arrest of other leaders, and a gradual loss of recruits to more radical terrorist groups.

The Tunisian government has made strides in recent years to combat terrorism within the country which include drafting new legislation to promote the rule of law, bolstering border security, and requesting aid from the international community. Despite the good natured attempts at resolving the conflicts within its borders, the Tunisian government rejected a proposal from NATO that would have seen nearly $3.7 million dollars in aid and a permanent team of experts delivered to Tunisia in exchange for closer relations with the multi-lateral organization. Tunisian Defense Minister Abdelkarim Zbidi requested the funding, but added the stipulation that “no party from outside the Tunisian military establishment would intervene in this center”.

As one of the first major powers to recognize Tunisia as an independent nation in 1956, the United States has a long and continuous history of supporting the Tunisian government. The United States sends $205.4 million a year to Tunisia in an effort to stymie security issues within the country and assist in building the Tunisian economy.

As of now, the United States will continue to support the Tunisian government and other North African governments in an effort to eradicate AQIM along with other terrorist groups in the region. In an effort to effectively end this conflict, the U.S. will supply the Tunisian government the financial means and the military resources needed to ensure that splinter organizations do not have room to grow while AQIM and ISIS are being dismantled. The United States is also encouraging Tunisia to accept help from friendly organizations like NATO as it also seeks to address means of easing Tunisian fears of upsetting neighboring countries. While the Tunisian government may not like the stipulations, the opportunity to increase the effectiveness of their forces and finance operations should be welcomed, albeit quietly if necessary.