4 Tunisian guards killed by militants in attack

Four Tunisian national guard officers were killed during an attack by 20 militants in the mid-west Tunisia, spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior Mohamed Ali Aroui said on Wednesday.

The militants who outnumbered the officers opened fire on the national guard vehicle during their security patrol in Boulaaba, several kilometers outside of the main town of Kasserine, spokesperson of the Ministry of Interior Mohamed Ali Aroui said.

During a press conference, Aroui said that the militants' attack came as a response to the successful operations led by Tunisian security forces which prevented several "terrorist" attacks and dismantled terrorist cells.

"These are members from the Oqba Ibn Nefaa Brigade, which is banned as it is linked to Al-Qaida network," added Aroui.

He described the attack as "cowardly" and promised that Tunisian security forces will respond by cracking down on terrorist activities and groups hiding in the Chaambi mountain and near the Algerian borders' area.

Following the armed confrontation, the militants got a hold of weapons of national guard agents and they are currently on the run as sweeping operations are launched in the region to capture them.

Prime Minister Habib Essid gave orders to have four main Ministers of Interior, Defense, Justice and Foreign Affairs attend the funerals of the killed officers, who are considered as "national heroes," according to Aroui.

The incident has sparkled a wave of outrage and sadness among Tunisians. Residents of Kasserine staged to the street to protest outside of the regional hospital where the bodies of officers were carried.

Different politicians from Nidaa Tounes, Ennahdha, the Popular Front and others,also condemned the attack in official statements.

The Chaambi mountain has been classified as a closed military zone for the past couple of years. Around 60 officers have been killed during direct attacks by militants or during mine explosions in the region. Endit