TUNISIAN SECURITY OPERATIONS: DETAILS BEGIN TO

S E C R E T TUNIS 000031

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA/FO - GRAY; NEA/MAG - HOPKINS, HARRIS
NEA FOR ABRAMS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/04/2017
TAGS: PREL PTER TS
SUBJECT: TUNISIAN SECURITY OPERATIONS: DETAILS BEGIN TO
EMERGE OF MAURITANIAN, SALAFIST INVOLVEMENT

REF: TUNIS 0016

Classified By: Ambassador Robert F. Godec for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (S/NF) Summary: According to local police contacts, the
January 3 security operation that took place about 35 km
southeast of Tunis (Reftel) resulted in the deaths of 12
perpetrators and the arrest of at least 25. The armed group,
which was described as being comprised of Salafists and led
by a Mauritanian, reportedly entered Tunisia via the Algerian
border and intended to target destinations frequented by
Western tourists, including Hammamet. Among the GOT
casualties was a member of the quick response (SWAT) team
normally assigned to protect the Embassy. Local media
coverage of these incidents included an unusually critical
editorial urging the authorities to tell the truth about the
events. End Summary.

--------------
Situation Update
--------------


2. (S/NF) According to information the local police provided
the Embassy today through RSO channels, 12 perpetrators were
killed in the January 3 security operation in the southern
suburbs on Tunis, and at least 25 arrested (Reftel). Local
police estimate that at least 50-55 individuals were involved
in this group. (Note: This number includes those arrested
and killed in both the January 3 and December 23 incidents.
End Note.) The leader of the group described as Salafists is
purported to be Mauritanian. The group reportedly crossed
the border from Algeria with the intent to create unrest
throughout areas frequented by Western tourists, especially
in the Hammamet beach resort area, but also possibly in
Western retail stores, such as Carrefour and Geant. (Note:
See septel for report of Embassy's Emergency Action
Committee, which convened on January 4 to consider this
information. End Note.) The following areas were also
mentioned in relation to these events: Bir Bouregbaa
(Hammamet North),Djebel Ressas and Meknassy, but the exact
involvement of these areas was unclear.


3. (S/NF) According to this same information, the Tunisian
police had been pursuing the group since December 23, with
those involved focusing exclusively on this mission. Asked
about the continuing existence of police checkpoints, the GOT
explained that it cannot be assumed that the police
checkpoints will be dismantled quickly, but that they will
diminish as time passes. Security service contacts indicated
that there are no specific threats against the US Embassy.


4. (S/NF) Local police informed Embassy that, in addition to
the two Tunisian security forces reported injured in the
December 23 incident, a member of the quick response (SWAT)
team normally assigned to protect the Embassy was killed
January 3 while on the mission in Soliman. The name of the
deceased has not been formally released, and funeral plans
are pending.


5. (C/NF) Police checkpoints are still in evidence, although
at reduced levels. Two DAO teams conducted road
reconnaissance missions on the afternoon of January 4 and
found that checkpoints along the highway between Tunis and
Hammamet had been removed. In addition, one team observed
two Humvees and three trucks moving out of the Cap Bon
penninsula. Police are still manning checkpoints in the
greater Tunis area, however.

--------------
The Media Angle
--------------


6. (SBU) The Tunisian media continued its coverage of these
incidents, with front page stories in most newspapers.
Independent Arabic weekly Akhbar al-Joumhouriya published a
critical editorial by Moncef Ben Mrad, who urged the
authorities to tell the truth about the Hammam-Lif events,
since Tunisians did not believe the initial press reports
about a drug gang. He characterized the perpetrators as
"religious extremists" whom Tunisian society should oppose.
Government-owned, French daily La Presse was the only
newspaper to publish the numbers of those killed and arrested
in the January 3 operation: 12, and 15, respectively,
according to that report. (Note: Other estimates indicate
potentially much higher numbers for those arrested and
killed. End Note.) The issue of numbers also came up in a

televised interview with Tunisian commentators that aired on
al-Jazeera on January 3. Among those interviewed was the
editor of the independent weekly al-Mawqif, Rachid Khachana.
Contacted by the Embassy on January 4, Khachana reiterated
his view that a Rubicon has been crossed in terms of the
introduction of automatic weapons into the country. He also
indicated that he had heard that the perpetrators include
people from Mauritania and Algeria, along with Tunisians from
Soliman, as well as Hammam-Lif and Hammam-Chatt.

--------------
Comment
--------------


7. (C) Although some of the details of these events remain
unclear, these developments are truly extraordinary in the
context of the tight control heretofore exercised by the GOT
on all aspects of Tunisian society. Reports that Tunisian
security forces have arrested or killed all of the
perpetrators notwithstanding, we do not believe we have seen
the end of this story. Given the apparent size and firepower
of the group, we can only surmise that it enjoyed a
significant support network, whether of like-minded Salafists
or people who were bought off. Thus, we expect to see more
arrests in the coming days and weeks. In addition, the
incidents may well prompt Ben Ali to make changes in senior
leadership positions.
GODEC