Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Tunisia has reported a major counter-insurgency mission.

The Tunisian Interior Ministry said Army and paramilitary troops killed at least seven Al Qaida-aligned fighters in an overnight battle in the Tunis suburb of Raoued on Feb. 4.

The ministry said the National Guard besieged a suspected insurgency stronghold in the northeastern province of Ariana.

“Such events can only strengthen the commitment of the Tunisian society to redouble vigilance and work together to confront dangers that threaten the country’s security and stability,” Tunisian parliamentary speaker Mustapha Ben Jaafar said.

The CI operation was deemed the largest in months in the war against Al
Qaida-aligned forces in Tunisia. Officials said at least two of the casualties were identified as major commanders of Ansar Al Sharia, believed to also operate in neighboring Libya.

One of the dead insurgents was identified as Kamel Qadkadi, a senior commander of Ansar. Qadkadi, found wearing a suicide explosive belt, was linked to the assassination of opposition chief Chokri Belaid in February 2013.

“This is the best gift that we can give to the Tunisians,” Interior
Minister Lufti Ben Jedo said.

Officials said the attack on Raoued stemmed from the arrest of a leading
Islamist operative, identified as Mahjoub Ferchichi. They said Ferchichi,
arrested on Jan. 31, was interrogated and disclosed the insurgency hideout
outside Tunis. By Feb. 3, hundreds of National Guard troops arrived in
Raoued.

“The members of this group refused to surrender despite hours of
negotiations,” Tunisian deputy chief prosecutor Sofien Seliti said.

  Ansar Al Sharia, Mustapha Ben Jaafar, Raoued, Seven Al Qaida fighters killed in operation against stronghold near Tunis