Tunisia border attack repelled

Armed group attempting to seize Algerian border crossing flees after gunfight with National Guard.

1 min read

19 March, 2016

The National Guard is also in charge of border posts with Libya [Getty]

An armed group attempted, late on Friday night, to attack a Tunisian checkpoint on the Algerian border, according to the Ministry of Interior in Tunis.

The three attackers targeted a post held by the National Guard in the town of Sidi Rabeh, Sakiet Sidi Youssed - a city near the border with Algeria, 200km south-west of Tunis.

They were spotted by Tunisian officers and an exchange of gunfire ensued between the armed group and security forces. The three militants reportedly escaped after the exchange of fire.

No casualties were reported among the security forces.

National Guard troops were immediately deployed to the surrounding area.

Reporting by Massinissa Benlakehal in Algiers.