SHOOT OUT LEADS TO SECURITY CLAMP DOWN

C O N F I D E N T I A L TUNIS 002973 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG - HARRIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/27/2016 TAGS: PTER ASEC PGOV TS SUBJECT: SHOOT OUT LEADS TO SECURITY CLAMP DOWN Classified By: CHARGE D'AFFAIRES a.i. DAVID BALLARD FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY. In what may be a first in Tunisia, the Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced on December 24 that a gun battle had occurred on the night of December 23 between the Tunisian police and armed individuals in a southern suburb of Tunis. With further details vague, the subsequent increase in police and MOI National Guard presence throughout the country leads many to believe the story is more complicated than the official version. Some suggest that the Tunisians involved may be associated with the Algerian GSPC movement. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (U) On December 24, the Tunisia African Press Agency (TAP) reported the following statement: Begin Text (informal embassy translation): An official source at the Ministry of Interior and Local Development reported that on the evening of December 23 there was an exchange of fire between a group of individuals living in a residential area of one of the southern suburbs of the capital and a security patrol in the area that resulted in the killing of two of the members of the group. Two other group members were apprehended and two security officials were wounded. Initial investigations indicated that the members of the group were dangerous criminals under investigation. End Text. ¶3. (U) On December 26, ash-Shourouq, a private Arabic daily, reported that the armed group, traveling north in the direction of Tunis on the National Route 1, refused to stop as requested by a routine Ministry of Interior National Guard security patrol. The patrol called ahead to the next checkpoint, where the group again refused to stop, raising the suspicion of the authorities. (NOTE: Police and National Guard checkpoints are commonplace throughout Tunisia and, given the GOT's strong backup system -- including staggered checkpoints -- Tunisians regularly stop. END NOTE.) The paper reported that a car chase ensued, and the group opened fire on the authorities. The story added that an eyewitness reported that the clash was "vicious and lengthy," lasting over an hour. Authorities killed two of the group, who were in their thirties, and investigations revealed the involved, who "came from abroad," were part of an organized crime gang based in a European country. 
¶4. (C) The announcement was followed by a significant increase in the regular police presence throughout Tunisia, which continued through December 27 and shows no sign of lessening. Checkpoints were opened and additional police and Ministry of Interior National Guard forces were armed with machine guns, particularly in the southern suburbs of Tunis. ConOff, who was in the area, noted a heavy National Guard presence along the highway south of Tunis in the direction of Nabeul, including a large number of officials - both uniformed and plainclothes, as well as uniformed soldiers - armed with automatic rifles. ConOff also observed what appeared to be armored military vehicles being transported north in the direction of Tunis. A local official of British Gas told Charge that security had been significantly increased around the company's gas processing facility - which provides fifty percent of domestic energy. This facility is in the south-central governorate of Sfax, hundreds of kilometers from Tunis. ¶5. (C) The increase in security led observers to suspect that the official account does not represent the whole story. On December 26, a repairman told PolFSN that a friend's brother who was a policeman said that, contrary to the MOI statement, the involved were actually Tunisians associated with Algerian "Salafists". Additional online and regional media outlets reported that the group was associated with Islamic extremists and members were not limited to Tunisian nationals. Tunisians are also wondering if the armed group was planning some kind of terrorist attack before it attracted GOT attention. ¶6. (C) On December 24, 26 and 27, EmbOffs inquired about the incident with MOI counterparts, who offered no further information. Post will continue to press for details regarding the security situation. ¶7. (C) Despite the lack of further official information about the event, it appears the spin has already begun. On December 27, the editor of the Arabic daily as-Sarih wrote an editorial noting that Tunisians are "of one mind" on security matters. He went on to praise the GOT response, noting that the investigation is underway and the authorities will provide a complete account once it is completed. While the editorial pages have to date been largely silent on the event, post expects similar expressions of support for the GOT will be forthcoming. ¶8. (C) COMMENT: Given the GOT's lack of credibility as a news source among its citizens, it is unclear which parts of the official story may be true. Regardless of the specifics, the event is particularly noteworthy as it represents the first time armed elements have engaged in a shoot out with GOT forces since 1980 (when a Libyan group clashed with authorities in the southern city of Gafsa). It is all the more significant as the regime constantly highlights publicly its ability to maintain stability. The unspoken pact between the GOT and Tunisians has been a guarantee of security in exchange for a sacrifice of political rights. The official response to date has been forceful, but the event has stirred doubts about the state's ability to guarantee the country's security. END COMMENT. BALLARD