Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Tunisia’s military chief has resigned in wake of Al Qaida attacks.

Tunisian Chief of Staff Gen. Mohammed Salah Hamdi submitted his resignation amid the Al Qaida offensive against the North African state.

The Defense Ministry said Hamdi informed his superiors that he was quitting on July 23, days after 15 soldiers were killed in an Al Qaida strike along the border with Algeria.

“The president knows the reason for the resignation of the chief of staff, but reserves the right not to disclose them for now,” presidential spokesman Adnene Mansar said.

The Tunisian Army has been struggling to stop Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb. Over the last year, AQIM was said to have established strongholds in Mount Chambi, located along the Algerian-Tunisian border.

On Aug. 2, a soldier was killed in an attack on a military barrack in the western town of Sbeitla. So far, 10 people have been arrested in connection with the latest insurgency operation.

Officials said AQIM was believed working with elements of Ansar Al Sharia, a powerful insurgency movement in both Libya and Tunisia. They said President Moncef Marzouki requested the Defense Ministry for a list of candidates from among senior commanders. They said Marzouki tried to persuade Hamdi not to resign.

“The presidency of the republic reserves the right to assess the action of the military institution, which must stay away from politics,” Mansar said.

  Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb, Gen. Mohammed Salah Hamdi, Moncef Marzouki, Tunisia military chief steps down after Al Qaida attack on border killed 15