UK warns nationals against likely suicide attacks in Tunisia

UK Foreign Office has warned its nationals against threat from terrorism in Tunisia as further attacks remain highly likely, including against foreigners over the holiday period, including Mouled (23 Decemeber), Christmas and New Year.

Security forces are on a high state of alert in Tunis and other locations. The State of Emergency remains in place. British Embassy in Tunisia said nationals should be especially vigilant over the holidays and avoid crowded places and follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and their travel companies, if they have one.

The warning listed the places where nationals should avoid in any of their moves. They include the Chaambi Mountain National Park area, the Tunisia-Algeria border crossing points at Ghardimaou, Hazoua and Sakiet Sidi Youssef, the militarized zone south of, but not including, the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba, the areas within 5km of the Libya border area from north of Dhehiba up to but not including the Ras Ajdir border crossing.

A terrorist attack took place at Port El Kantaoui near Sousse on 26 June. Thirty eight foreign tourists were killed, including 30 British nationals. Further terrorist attacks are highly likely, including in tourist resorts, and by individuals unknown to the authorities whose actions may be inspired by terrorist groups via social media, added the embassy statement.

On 17 November the Tunisian authorities announced they had foiled a major plot to attack ‘hotels and vital installations’ in Sousse. On 24 November a number of security personnel were killed in a suicide attack on a police bus on Avenue Mohammed V in central Tunis. A state of emergency was declared for 30 days from 24 November 2015.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Tunis has warned its nationals against potential terrorist attacks and to maintain a high level of vigilance in light of recent terrorist attacks on sites frequented by tourists.

Source: MENA