Security at the Tunisian-Libyan borders is on maximum alert, former Tunisian Defense Minister Abdulkarim Zubaidi said Tuesday.
In a press statement on the sidelines of a cultural exhibition held in Tunis, Zubaidi said the interference of foreign parties in Libyan affairs escalates the tension in Tripoli, including the shipment of weapons that Turkey has sent to support armed groups allied with the Government of National Accord (GNA).
This statement comes after the Algerian army foiled an infiltration attempt of terrorist groups through the Algerian-Libyan border into Algeria, Algerian sources told Al-Ain News on Monday.
“Clashes erupted between the Algerian army and terrorist elements while trying to enter Algeria through its borders with Libya,” the sources said.
The Algerian army has also been able to seize huge amounts of weapons on the southern border with Libya, Niger and Mali in recent years.
Tunisia has heightened security on its southern borders with Libya after international suspicion that Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is in Libya, according to French newspaper JeuneAfrique on June 5.
In mid-May, British military officials announced Baghdadi is believed to be hiding in Libya since February after fleeing Syria’s Baghouz.
Further, Baghdadi earlier demanded his elements to carry out operations in Libya and other countries after being defeated in Syria and Iraq.
