Publication

This paper explores the residual impact of the Libyan conflict on the current security situation in Tunisia, particularly when it comes to the infiltration of armed groups and the smuggling of firearms across their common border. The paper concludes that despite the weakening of Tunisia’s security apparatus and the ongoing effects of armed conflict in Libya, the use of firearms in political and criminal violence has remained relatively low in Tunisia. It also finds that what few large firearms smuggling operations exist in the country are actually attributable to Algerian-based violent extremist networks rather than Libyan groups.