Tunis – In a coordinated counterterrorism operation, Tunisian security forces apprehended a suspected extremist militant affiliated with a terrorist organization in the capital city of Tunis on Wednesday. The arrest was carried out by the intelligence services of the National Guard, with support from central and regional counterterrorism units.
According to an official press release from the General Directorate of the National Guard, the suspect had been wanted by multiple security agencies and judicial authorities for his involvement with a proscribed terrorist group. The statement did not specify which terrorist organization the individual belonged to.
The detainee, identified only as a “Takfiri” – a term used to describe Muslim extremists who accuse others of apostasy – was taken into custody after intelligence led counterterrorism forces to his location. The National Guard release stated that all necessary legal measures were being taken against the suspect.
Tunisian authorities have remained on high alert against the threat of terrorism in recent years, particularly from militants aligned with groups like Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Islamic State. A deadly attack at a luxury beach resort in Sousse in 2015 that killed 38 people, mostly British tourists, underscored the persistent danger.
Since then, Tunisia has invested heavily in bolstering security capabilities with assistance from international partners. However, the country’s porous borders with chaos-stricken Libya have posed an ongoing challenge in preventing the cross-border movement of extremist fighters and weapons.
Wednesday’s arrest marks another victory for Tunisian counterterrorism efforts aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and safeguarding the nation against further atrocities carried out by radical militants. The identities of the suspect and any additional details surrounding the case have not been disclosed as the legal proceedings remain ongoing.