Tragic twin bombings in Tunisia
Suicide bombings in Tunisia have killed one police officer and left eight other people wounded. The attacks took place on Thursday in the country’s capital, Tunis, where two suicide bombers blew themselves up in rapid succession in separate attacks. The Islamic State has reportedly claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The UK’s Foreign Office advises that travellers in Tunis should ‘avoid the Medina and the area around Avenue Habib Bourguiba; remain vigilant, keep up to date with developments and follow the advice and instructions of local authorities’.
A suicide attack on a police bus on 24 November 2015 meant that a state of emergency was already in effect in the country ─ this has been extended a number of times since it was first imposed. Prior to this, a mass shooting in Sousse on 26 June 2015 that targeted tourists meant that the UK Government has been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups, while the Tunisian Government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Tunisian Tourism Minister René Trabelsi sought to reassure tourists following Thursday’s twin bombings, which are believed to have targeted security forces: "This attack against national security agents ... has nothing to do with tourists."
However, UK authorities have warned that ‘terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests’. Travellers are advised to be vigilant at all times and to follow the advice of the Tunisian security authorities and their travel company.