Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


        US Gives Military Equipment to Help Tunisia Protect Its Borders

   by VOA News

   The United States gave jeeps, small aircraft and communications
   equipment to Tunisia on Thursday to help protect its southeastern
   border from Islamic extremists crossing over from Libya.

   U.S. Assistant Defense Secretary Amanda Dory told officials in Tunis
   that she is "very pleased that the United States is able to provide
   Tunisia with surveillance aircraft that will improve Tunisia's ability
   to locate terrorists who attempt to infiltrate your borders."

   Dory said the planes are designed to give Tunisian ground forces
   advance warning of any dangerous activity near the border.

   Tunisia was the first North African country to overthrow a dictator in
   the so-called Arab Spring of 2011.

   But extremism and terrorism still shake its fragile democracy, despite
   backing from the West.

   Police raided a suspected terrorist hideout north of Tunis on
   Wednesday, breaking up what they called plans for "synchronized
   attacks." Two extremists were killed and 16 arrested.

   Islamic State militants have struck across Tunisia's border with Libya
   and are responsible for terror strikes on a beach resort and an art
   museum in Tunis last year, killing about 60 people, mostly foreign
   tourists.

   Militants also battled Tunisian security forces in March, leaving seven
   civilians dead along with a number of officers and militants.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-military-equipment-tunisia-protect
   -borders/3328536.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-military-equipment-tunisia-protect-borders/3328536.html