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Suicide Bombers Attack Near U.S. Embassy in Tunisia Suicide Bombers Attack Near U.S. Embassy in Tunisia
(about 7 hours later)
Two suicide bombers blew themselves up near the United States Embassy in Tunis on Friday, killing one police officer, and injuring four more along with one civilian, according to officials, in the most serious attack to hit Tunisia in recent months. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up near the United States Embassy in Tunis on Friday, killing one police officer and injuring four more and a civilian in the most serious attack to hit Tunisia in months.
Two men approached a security patrol across the street from the embassy and detonated explosives around 11 a.m. local time, the Tunisian Interior Ministry said in a statement. No group had yet claimed responsibility. Embassy staff was unharmed in the attack, which occurred in a part of the capital that is home to several embassies and the offices of international institutions. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
The attack took place in the business district of Lac II, an area in the east of Tunis that is home to several embassies and offices of international institutions. Tunisia, the birthplace of the Arab Spring uprisings, has sustained a sometimes fractious transition to democracy since protests deposed its authoritarian ruler, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in 2011. But it has also been a target of Islamist militants. Three major attacks in 2015, claimed by the Islamic State, killed dozens of people.
“Emergency personnel are responding to an explosion that occurred near the U.S. Embassy in Tunis,” the embassy’s account posted on Twitter. “Please avoid the area and monitor local media for updates.” The attack on Friday occurred around 11 a.m. when two men approached a security patrol across the street from the American Embassy and detonated explosives, officials said.
Tunisia was the birthplace of the 2011 Arab Spring uprisings, and has sustained a sometimes fractious transition to democracy since those protests deposed its authoritarian ruler, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. But it has become a target of Islamist militants, with three major attacks in 2015 that were claimed by the Islamic State and killed dozens of people. The American ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Bloome, offered his condolences to the family and colleagues of the police officer who was killed, identified by Tunisian officials as Lt. Taoufik Missaoui.
The attackers on Friday drove a motorcycle toward a police truck, which was parked near the embassy and was damaged in the explosion. “I would like to thank the Tunisian authorities for their immediate protection of the U.S. Embassy today,” Mr. Bloome wrote in a message posted on the embassy’s Facebook account, “as well as their rapid response in investigating the situation.”
Security forces cordoned off the area, as debris could be seen on the road by the embassy, along with human remains believed to be from the attackers. The attackers on Friday drove a motorcycle toward a police truck, which was parked near the embassy and was damaged in the explosion. Security forces cordoned off the area, which was strewn with debris and body parts.
Tunisia had one of the largest contingent of militants to join the ranks of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, with at least 5,500 citizens going to Syria and Iraq. As many as 1,500 fighters flowed to neighboring Libya. In recent years, Tunisia has struggled to control a threat from Al Qaeda and other Islamist groups. It remains under a state of emergency, and its porous borders with Algeria and Libya have allowed militants to leave and return.
Tunisians have contributed heavily to the ranks of Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, with at least 5,500 going to Syria and Iraq to fight. As many as 1,500 flowed to neighboring Libya.
Tunisia’s security and police forces have also been the target of small-scale attacks. Last June, two suicide bombers set off explosions in separate attacks in Tunis, killing a police officer and wounding eight people. In October 2018, a woman injured 15 people, including 10 police officers, when she blew herself up in central Tunis.
The U.S. Embassy in Tunis was attacked in 2012 by crowds protesting an anti-Muslim video.The U.S. Embassy in Tunis was attacked in 2012 by crowds protesting an anti-Muslim video.
In recent years, Tunisia has struggled to control a threat from Al Qaeda and other Islamist groups. It remains under a state of emergency, and porous borders with Algeria and Libya have allowed militants to leave and return.
Tunisia’s security and police forces have also been the target of smaller-scale attacks. Last June, two suicide bombers set off explosions in separate attacks in Tunis, killing a police officer and wounding eight people. The two attacks were directed at a police patrol and a police station.
In October, 2018, a woman injured 15 people, including 10 police officers, when she blew herself up in central Tunis.
Lilia Blaise contributed reporting.Lilia Blaise contributed reporting.