Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

Tunisian Army Deployed in States to Protect Facilities during Demonstrations


Mon 18 Jan 2021 | 11:22 AM
Ahmad El-Assasy

The spokesperson of the Tunisian Defense Ministry Mohamed Zakri confirmed the deployment of military units in front of public facilities in the states of Siliana, Kasserine, Bizerte and Sousse, in anticipation of the riots that could target these facilities.

On Sunday, demonstrators clashed with police in several Tunisian states as part of a third consecutive day of unrest a decade on from the revolution that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Police used tear gas to disperse protesters in states of Kasserine, Siliana and other cities, including in the capital, Tunis. Protesters are angry that the North African country is on the verge of bankruptcy and has poor public services.

Many feel disappointed that on the 10-year anniversary of the revolution brought down autocrat Ben Ali, there is little to show in terms of social and economic improvement.

On Saturday police swooped in as shops and banks were looted and vandalized, arresting "dozens" of youths, according to state news agency TAP. Protesters blocked roads by burning tires and throwing stones and other objects at police and businesses, according to the Interior Ministry.

The authorities deployed the army in some regions to protect private and public property, the spokesperson of the Defense Ministry, Mohamed Zakri, said during an interview with a local radio.