Security Clampdown in Tunisia, ’ISIL’ Claims Attack

Local Editor

Tunisia deployed extra security to tourist sites and vowed to close down mosques accused of inciting violence, after a deadly attack at a beach resort.

Habib al-Essid, Tunisia's Prime Minister announced a clampdown on security after the terrorist attack where a gunman opened fire and killed 38 people, mostly foreign tourists on vacation in the resort city of Sousse situated on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the country's north.

There were three attackers in the Tunisian massacre, Interior Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui declared. One of the men was killed, one was arrested and another managed to escape.

Friday's attack was claimed by "ISIL" terrorist group which was also wreaking havoc in other parts of the world, mainly in Iraq and Syria.

"Our brother, the soldier of the Caliphate, Abu Yihya al-Kairouni, reached his target the Imperial hotel despite the security measures," the statement said. It said he attacked a "bordel" and killed "infidels'.

In light of Friday's beach massacre, some 80 mosques outside state control would be closed down to prevent the possible incitement of violence, the Tunisian government announced.

"All 80 mosques will close within a week," al-Essid announced on Saturday, adding that Tunisians must "coordinate and help" the government as confronting terrorism is a national duty.

"No mosque that does not conform to the law will be tolerated," added the premier.

Furthermore, the victims of Friday's Tunisian beach resort shooting were mostly British. However, other Europeans were also among the victims.

"The majority are British," al-Essid said.

"After [this] come[s] the Germans, then the Belgians and then other nationalities," he stated, adding that there were also French nationals among the victims.

The PM also declared that reserve troops would be deployed to protect "sensitive sites... and places that could be targets of terrorist attacks."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team