3 soldiers killed in militant attack in western Tunisia

By Monji Mohamed

TUNIS

Three soldiers were killed on Monday in a militant attack in Tunisia’s western Kasserine province, the Defense Ministry has said.

Tunisia’s official news agency quoted ministry spokesman Belhassen Ouslati as saying that a military vehicle had struck a roadside bomb before coming under attack by militants armed with rifles and rocket propelled grenades.

According to Ouslati, three soldiers were killed and another seven injured.

There has been no claim of responsibility for Monday’s attack, which took place in Kasserine’s Mount Sammama region, a militant stronghold.

According to the ministry spokesman, several militants were injured in a gunfight that ensued between security forces and the militants.

Since 2011, Tunisia has been shaken by a spate of militant attacks in which scores of soldiers and foreign tourists have been killed.