Four Tunisian soldiers slain in mine explosion

A mine explosion killed Wednesday four Tunisian soldiers in the province of Kasserine during a patrol.

The fatalities, Tunisian presidency notes, occurred during a military patrol on Mghila mountain in the region.

The ministry of defense identified the slain soldiers as Lieutenant Sami Ouannassi, Adjudant-chef Saïd Amari, Sergent-chef Ismaïl Kheriji and Caporal-chef Moneem Dalaii.

The military patrol was combing the area for terrorists.

 

President Kais Saied, on Thursday, went to the Tunis Military Hospital to pay tribute to the 4 servicemen.

 

In a funeral eulogy, the President paid homage to “the courage and bravery of these heroes of Tunisia and their devotion to serving their country, keeping Tunisians safe and defending the country against the enemies threatening it,” TAP reports.

 

“These brave servicemen were martyred in a treacherous and cowardly act,” Saied stated.

 

“But this will only fuel our resolve to combat the criminals with the same fighting spirit and to confront them and those who support them, who seek to harm Tunisia,” he said, adding “we are today more than ever determined to continue the combat on all fronts, and are convinced that victory will be ours. We will honour Tunisia and its martyrs.”

Kasserine, western Tunisia, is house to mountains which are used as safe-haven by militants.

Tunisian security forces has lost several personnel in ambushes and attacks laid by militants in the province.