Tunisian security forces have
killed at least nine suspected Islamist militants who are blamed for a deadly
attack on a police patrol, officials say.
They say at least three other suspects were arrested in
the operation in the Mount Taouyer area, about 70km (44 miles) west of the
capital, Tunis.
Two policemen died when they were attacked in the area on
Thursday.
Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said the
militants belonged to the Salafist Ansar al-Sharia group.
The group has been declared a terrorist organisation by
the government and the interior ministry spokesman told reporters on Saturday
that the three-day operation "has been a success".
About two tonnes of materials used to make explosives were
also seized.
The killing of the two police officers led to an angry
response from security forces when Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki, Prime
Minister Ali Larayedh and other senior officials attended a memorial service
for the men on Friday.
The leaders were forced to leave the ceremony because of
the hostility.
Ansar al-Sharia has been blamed for the murders of two
secular opposition politicians earlier this year.
Their deaths also triggered mass protests against
Tunisia's Islamist-led government.
Several other militant groups - including al-Qaeda in the
Islamic Maghreb - also operate in the region.
But the latest clashes were significantly closer to the
capital than previous fighting with suspected Islamists.
Since the popular revolt that sparked the "Arab
Spring" in 2011, Tunisia has seen a rise in attacks by militants.
A coalition led by the moderate Islamist Ennahda party was
elected in 2011. But some government critics accuse it of being soft on
hardline Islamist forces - charges it strongly denies.
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