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| Suicide Bombers Attack Near U.S. Embassy in Tunisia | Suicide Bombers Attack Near U.S. Embassy in Tunisia |
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| 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 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The American ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Blome, offered his condolences to the family and colleagues of the police officer who was killed, identified by Tunisian officials as Lt. Taoufik Missaoui. | |
| “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.” | “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.” |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| Lilia Blaise contributed reporting. | Lilia Blaise contributed reporting. |