![]() Since a popular revolt toppled autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia enjoys free elections, a new constitution and politics that have seen compromise without the civil wars or widespread violence seen in Egypt, Libya, Syria or Yemen.īut although it has seen little armed militancy at home, Tunisia has become a big exporter of fighters to wars elsewhere. It was the birthplace of the “Arab Spring” protests that swept the region at the end of 2010 and start of 2011, and four years later it is that era’s only success story. Neighboring Tunisia has until now been mostly peaceful. Since the start of this year, fighters in Libya proclaiming loyalty to Islamic State have beheaded Egyptian Christians, stormed a Tripoli hotel seeking foreigners to kill and overrun three oilfields kidnapping 10 expatriate oil workers. Washington believes 3,000 fighters loyal to Islamic State are fighting there, including 300 returned from Syria or Iraq. ![]() In Libya, where two rival governments are battling for control and armed groups flourish on the streets, militants returning from Syria and linked to Islamic State have established a new outpost. That flow is reversing with experienced North African fighters returning to target their homelands. Libyan and Tunisian jihadists have streamed to the ranks of Islamic State and other militant groups in Syria and Iraq. The storming of the Bardo museum inside the heavily guarded parliament compound was more deadly evidence Islamist militants are turning to North Africa as a new front beyond their main battlegrounds in Iraq and Syria. A Tunisian policeman stands guard at Bourguiba Avenue in the capital of Tunis during a celebration to commemorate Tunisia's National Independence Day March 20, 2015.
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