Islamist Ennahda Party, Responsible for Tunisians’ Exodus to Conflict Zones, Opposition Claims

The Tunisian Islamist party Ennahda and its leader Rached Ghannouchi have been accused of condoning the departure of the thousands of Tunisians to hotbed conflict zones at the time heated debates on the return of the jihadists buzz in the country.

Around 5,000 Tunisians have been fighting in the ranks of terrorist groups in Syria, Libya and Iraq, according to a UN report.

For leader of the Popular Front, Hamma Hammami, Ennahda party championed the departure of the youth during the period of the Troika; the coalition government which led the country from 2011 to 2014.

“The Troïka, the Ennahdha and the CPR, in particular, pushed and encouraged openly youth to go and fight in Syria,” Hammami said.

The Popular Front leader also urged the interior ministry to uncover and dismantle networks, which facilitated the exodus of the youth.

Tunisia has been lately buzzing with debates concerning the return of jihadists. Thousands of Tunisians have demonstrated against plans by authorities, including the Islamist party, to allow the return of the jihadists.

The return of jihadists is a plan by authorities to bring back those that they used in Syria for coveted agenda, Hammami claimed.

“After benefiting from them, it is time to return them,” he added.

Hammami also laid into President Beji Caid Essebsi and his party Nidaa Tounes for lying to its supporters by colliding with Ennahdha. Both parties are source of the country’s problems, he said, adding, “For us, there is not diffrence between Nidaa Tounes and Ennahdha.”