Explosion wounds police in central Tunis
October 29, 2018
A woman detonated explosives in a suicide bombing in the Tunisian capital of Tunis, leaving several wounded in the attack.
Over the past decade, Tunisia has been targeted by terrorist attacks resulting in the deaths of dozens of people.
Read more: 'We are not yet a democracy,' says Tunisia's foreign minister
What we know so far:
- A 30-year-old woman blew herself up near a police patrol unit, according to the interior ministry.
- Nine people were injured, including eight police officers, said interior ministry spokesman Sofiene Zaag.
- The suspect wasn't on Tunisian authorities' radar prior to the attack.
- No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
- Habib Bourguiba Avenue was also a key meeting point for protesters during the Arab Spring.
'Full solidarity'
Patrice Bergamini, the EU ambassador to Tunisia, expressed "full solidarity with Tunisia and its people" in a statement.
The EU "stands resolutely alongside Tunisia in its march towards democracy," Bergamini said. "We will continue to make every effort to ensure the success of the young Tunisian democracy and to help it meet the many challenges it faces, including its fight against terrorism."
Security situation
Tunisia has been rocked by several terrorist attacks in recent years. In March 2015, 22 people were killed when gunmen launched an attack at the Bardo Museum in Tunis. Three months later, 38 people were killed in a shooting rampage on a beach in the coastal resort of Sousse.
In November of that year, a suicide bomber killed 12 presidential guards in an attack claimed by the "Islamic State" militant group. While Tunisia has not been targeted by similar attacks since 2015, the North African country remains wary of militants, especially those hiding in neighboring Libya.
As of 2015, Tunisia has maintained a state of emergency. It was extended earlier this month until November 6.
Read more: Tunisia approves anti-terror law amid human rights fears
ls/msh (AFP, Reuters)