The Tunisian Confederation of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts (French: UTICA) Wednesday “strongly” condemned the “criminal” and “cowardly” attack carried out on Tuesday evening near el Grhiba synagogue in Djerba. The employer organisation praised police “responsiveness” and “effectiveness” and said “Tunisians will always remain committed to the values of tolerance and fraternity and opposed to all forms of extremism,” in spite of these criminal and vile attacks. Two pilgrims (a Tunisian citizen and a French national) as well as three National Guard officers were killed in an attack on Tuesday evening near el Ghriba synagogue in Djerba, the Interior Ministry said. “The assailant is a coast guardsman in Aghir Djerba who murdered his colleague with his own weapon, took ammunition,” further reads the press release. He then attempted to gain access to the vicinity of el Ghriba synagogue and randomly fired at units stationed there. They fired back and prevented him from getting into the synagogue before shooting him down. Four law enforcement members and as many civilians were also wounded. The synagogue and its vicinity were cordoned off. Visitors inside and outside were kept in safety. An investigation is underway to disclose motives behind this attack.
Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse