But ISIS recruiters have sought to take advantage of the country’s newfound political freedom, according to The New York Times. Meanwhile, abusive police, high youth unemployment, and economic disruptions have made Tunisia a top spot for ISIS recruits.
Last December, Tunisian ISIS terrorists were seen in a video that was being circulated through social media issuing a warning to the Tunisian government, saying that “as long as Tunisia is not governed by Islam,” there will be threats.
ISIS-associated social media accounts were again spreading the video around on Wednesday as the Tunisia terrorist attack was taking place, which the Times termed as a celebration of “the attack as a fulfillment of that warning.”
Tunisian officials on March 17 announced that they broke up terrorist cells and arrested 22 extremists who were recruiting for Libyan terrorist organizations, reported Al-Arabiya TV. The Tunisian Ministry of the Interior said that the “terrorist network is collaborating with dangerous Tunisian terrorists active in Libya, and working to supervise training camps with their counterparts from different countries.”
The attacks were universally condemned by U.S. and European officials on Wednesday. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said in a statement, “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today’s deadly terrorist attack at the National Bardo Museum in Tunis” and offered his condolences to families of the victims.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
