Terrorists conducted 2 Istishhadi attacks targeting security officers who had parked their vehicle patrolling along Charles De-Gaulle streets near the French Embassy in the capital Tunis and a Counter Terrorism Unit personnel at El-Gorjani area. A Police officer was killed while 8 other persons were injured. The government issued a statement confirming the attack and the death.
Unverified intelligence reports indicate the attacks could be linked to the Islamic States terror group and look like they were conducted to demonstrate the group’s capability to repeat attacks during anniversaries. Another view by S.I CT shows a footprint fitting Al-Qaeda cells. The attack targeted security forces and not civilians, an Al-Qaeda policy.
While this is yet to be confirmed, one Tunisian police officer died in the attacks, according to Government. The attacks, though succeeded to happen, were largely amateurish and poorly coordinated, the earliest indicator of involvement of grassroots jihadists. The bombs, based on scene analysis had shrapnel meant to inflict extreme harm to victims. Maybe the bomb was typically tiny thus the low-scale effect. However, the successful orchestration is perhaps the most critical outcome and objective.
The twin bombings are significant events that have turned the eyes of the world towards Tunisia. The attacks were well coordinated. Their effects however is low-scale, hence confirms Tunisia’s counter-terrorism efforts have largely paid off. Low-scale attacks are indicators of superior intelligence and security capability. However, terror events will achieve much needed media coverage that they are amplified enough to cause massive psychological effect, often then intended outcome.
