Tunisia 'terrorist attack' kills three soldiers

Three Tunisian soldiers were killed in a "terrorist attack" on Monday near Mount Sammama, a hideout for extremists at war with the authorities, security sources said.

The attack also left six others wounded, they told AFP, but without giving details.

Mosaique FM radio reported clashes between the army and "terrorist elements" and said the three were killed when a blast hit their vehicle as they combed an area near the town of Kasserine.

The defence ministry was unavailable for immediate comment about the deaths, which came as a new unity government took office in Tunisia with security among its top priorities.

Tunisian forces have been tracking extremists mainly in the mountainous regions of Chaambi and Sammama, southwest of the capital Tunis.  

Terror attacks in Tunisia have cost dozens of lives among security forces as well as civilians.

In November last year, Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi announced a 30-day state of emergency after a bus carrying presidential guards was targeted on a central street in the country's capital city of Tunis.

Earlier that year, 60 people – mostly tourists – were killed in two separate terror attacks; the first on the National Bardo Museum in March and the second on a beach resort near Sousse in June.

The attacks have dealt a severe blow to the country's tourism sector – one of its most important sources of income.

[Click to enlarge]