Tunisia adopts strategy to fight ‘terrorism’

Tunisia’s national security council on Monday adopted a strategy to fight “terrorism and extremism,” two days after ISIS said it had killed a soldier.

The North African country has experienced a rise in religious extremism since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Its security forces have been battling a militant movement responsible for killing dozens of soldiers and police officers as well as civilians including 59 foreign tourists.

The presidency, in a statement, said the “national strategy to fight against extremism and terrorism” is built around the four main axes of “prevention, protection, judicial proceedings and retaliation.”

It gave no further details about the plan, but said it had been discussed with members of civil society during its preparation and by government ministers and security top brass.

The national security council is headed by President Beji Caid Essebsi.

On Sunday ISIS, which has claimed three major attacks on Tunisian soil last year alone that claimed the lives of more than 70 people, said it was behind Saturday’s murder of a soldier.

He was killed at his home in a central region that is a major hideout for militant groups.