Middle East
Tunisia announces militant arrests, ammo seizure
Stars and Stripes
September 6, 2014
FILE - In this March 9, 2012 file photo, Tunisian Salafist militants demonstrate in front of the national television building in Tunis, Tunisia. Mosques are being closed down, local organizations banned and at least 1,000 have been arrested as Tunisia carries out a wide-ranging crackdown against those suspected of sympathizing with radical Islamists. While still one of the only democracies to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings, Tunisia's battle against terrorism is raising fears that it might be returning to its bad old days of political repression. (Hassene Dridi/AP)
TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia's Interior Ministry has announced the arrest of 12 men accused of planning attacks to disrupt upcoming elections.
Ministry spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui told journalists Friday that the arrests came after the seizure of a four-wheel drive vehicle near the border with Libya filled with rockets, assault-rifle ammunition and explosives.
He said the vehicle was heading from the Ben Guerdane border town to Sidi Bouzid, where the suspects were arrested.
Tunisia has been battling al-Qaida linked militants for the past year and is set to hold elections on Oct. 26. Authorities have already reported several threats by militants to violently disrupt the elections.
Aroui said the weapons were ultimately destined for Mount Chambi on the Algerian border, a known militant hideout.