Tunisia scores security win as special forces take down terror cell

TUNIS – Tunisian authorities have successfully dismantled a four-member terrorist cell in a border region near Majel Bel Abbes, in the Kasserine governorate close to the Tunisian-Algerian frontier, officials announced on Thursday.

The operation, carried out by a special forces unit with support from multiple security agencies, culminated in the death of all four members of the cell.

One of the suspects, identified as Bechir bin Ibrahim El-Hajji, detonated a suicide vest after refusing to surrender to encircling military forces. Authorities confirmed that all members of the cell belonged to the same family and shared the surname Hajji.

According to the Tunisian Ministry of Interior, the raid was based on precise intelligence tracking the group’s presence in the region, and represents the latest in a series of carefully coordinated counter-terrorism efforts. The ministry emphasised that the operation was executed with attention to minimising civilian risk and protecting public property.

“The neutralisation of this cell comes after days of meticulous surveillance and represents part of our ongoing efforts to safeguard citizens and maintain the country’s stability,” the ministry stated in a press release. Officials also stressed that the group had been planning acts that would have threatened Tunisia’s national security and public safety.

The ministry highlighted that Tunisia will remain “strong, secure and steadfast forever”, underscoring the country’s resolve to confront any form of terrorism. The operation is cited as evidence of the readiness of Tunisian security forces and their continuous collaboration with local communities to promote vigilance and civic responsibility.

Security analysts noted that such operations reflect Tunisia’s strategic commitment to combating violent extremism while respecting legal and civil frameworks.

The government’s approach combines enhanced intelligence capabilities, upgraded security infrastructure and community engagement to mitigate the risk of terrorism across the nation, particularly in historically sensitive border areas.

Authorities reiterated a call to the public to remain vigilant, cooperate with security services, and report suspicious activity, highlighting that community awareness is a key pillar of national security.

This latest success positions Tunisia as a regional model for rapid and precise counter-terrorism action, demonstrating its capacity to neutralise threats while preserving civil safety, and reinforcing its ongoing strategy to maintain peace, stability and the rule of law throughout the country.