The Tunisian military said it launched a “huge operation” from Kasserine against al Qaeda-linked militants in the Jebel Chaambi area, and claimed the terrorist group is surrounded. Algeria said it would support but not intervene in Tunisian territory against the group, which is said to be heavily armed and to include Libyans, Tunisians, and Algerians. The extremist group Ansar al Sharia continues to operate freely in Tunisia, although it has been accused of assassinating two key secular politicians this year. Critics are questioning the structure and operations of Tunisia’s intelligence agency.
