Fears are mounting in Tunisia that the return of ‘jihadists’ from foreign battlefields could destabilize a country already reeling from a wave of attacks since its 2011 revolution.

Concern has increased after a Tunisian was identified as the suspected attacker who mowed down 11 people with a hijacked truck at a Berlin Christmas market last week and also killed the driver.

The rampage was claimed by the ISIL group in a video showing Anis Amri pledging allegiance to ISIL chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Days later Tunisia said it had arrested Amri’s nephew and two others it said were linked to the Berlin attack suspect but not to the assault itself.

The United Nations estimates that more than 5,500 Tunisians are fighting alongside extremist groups, including in Syria and Iraq and Libya.

“The issue of returning ‘jihadists’ is acute because the noose is being tightened around ISIL in Syria, Iraq and Libya,” said political analyst Hamza Meddeb.

He was referring to ground being lost by ISIL fighters in Syria and Iraq under an onslaught by the US-led coalition and the fall of their Libyan bastion Sirte which pro-government forces retook in early December.

Source: AFP