Travel

Tunisia travel advice: Is it safe? Latest update four years after Sousse terror attack


Tunisia was hit by a tragedy in June 2015 when a lone gunman began shooting indiscriminately on a beach in the popular resort of Port El Kantaoui. A total of 30 Britons were killed in the shocking terror attack with eight others also murdered. The country was later criticised for being slow to respond to the Sousse attack, with the government later admitting fault. So, four years on, is it safe to travel to Turkey? This is the latest Foreign and Commonwealth (FCO) travel advice.

Tunisia has been struggling against militant groups operating near the border of Algeria since 2011, when citizens raised against autocratic leader Zine Abidine Ben Ali.

The uprising and the terror attacks which later plaguing the country turned what once was one of Britain’s favourite holiday destinations in north Africa into an unsafe zone.

Counter-terrorism forces estimated about 3,000 Tunisians have joined ISIS and other jihadist groups in Iraq, Syria and Libya in the past nine years.

The FCO now advises against all travel to the southern area of Tunisia where it borders with Libya.

A number of other locations along the country’s border with Algeria also come with the travel warning: “Advise against all but essential travel.”

The FCO states: “A state of emergency is in effect in Tunisia, imposed after a suicide attack on a police bus on 24 November 2015.

“It’s been extended a number of times, most recently on 6 April 2019 by one month”.

The FCO also explains: “Since the terrorist attack in Sousse in June 2015, which targeted tourists, the UK government has been working closely with the Tunisian authorities to investigate the attack and the wider threat from terrorist groups

“The Tunisian government has improved protective security in major cities and tourist resorts.”

However, it adds: “Terrorists are still very likely to try to carry out attacks in Tunisia, including against UK and Western interests.

“Security forces remain on a high state of alert in Tunis and other places.

“You should be vigilant at all times, including around religious sites and festivals.”

Tunisia is better prepared for terror attacks now in 2019 than it was in 2015, however.

“The Tunisian authorities regularly report that they have disrupted planned attacks and terrorist cells, and made arrests,” said the FCO.

“The Tunisian authorities have improved security in tourist resorts and their ability to respond to a terrorist incident.

“Tunisian security forces have also improved and are better prepared to tackle terrorist threats than they were at the time of the 2015 attacks.

“But further attacks remain likely, including in places visited by foreigners such as tourist resorts. Attacks may be carried out by individuals unknown to the authorities, whose actions may be inspired by terrorist groups.”

In related news, Spain’s terror threat level has been heightened to severe as tourists are urged to be careful when visiting popular holiday destinations in the country.

Around 40,000 police are reported to have been deployed to Spanish tourist hotspots in a bid to counter terrorism.



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