Pursuits
Islamic State Spreads in North Africa in Attacks Ignored by West
- First attempt to take Tunisia territory foiled by villagers
- Algeria, Tunisia reject military action from outside region
Members of the Tunisian police stop a car driving on a forbidden road near the Libyan border in Bouhamed, 40 km from the town of Ben Guerdane on on March 10, 2016.
Photographer: Fathi Nasri/AFP via Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
The Islamic State fighters appeared at dawn in the Tunisian town of Ben Guerdane, attacking police and army barracks. Last week’s clashes killed at least 58 people, including 46 militants and a 12-year-old girl. Tunisia is no stranger to jihadist violence -- three large-scale assaults last year decimated its tourism sector -- but it’s the first time militants have attempted to seize territory.
QuickTake Fighting Islamic State