Tunisian security forces arrest individual plotting president Saied’s assassination: report

President Kais Saied (C) gesturing as he walks protected by security while touring through Habib Bourguiba avenue in the centre of the capital Tunis. (File/AFP)
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Updated 22 August 2021
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Tunisian security forces arrest individual plotting president Saied’s assassination: report

  • Tunisian president Kais Saied says he does not fear any attempts on his life

DUBAI: Tunisian security forces arrested an individual in a coastal city accused of plotting the assassination of Tunisian president Kais Saied, local newspaper Al-Chourouk reported on Sunday.

The individual, who was identified as a member of the “Lone Wolves” movement, was preparing to target the Tunisian president in a coastal city, a region the president planned on visiting soon.

Saeid in a speech on Friday said he does not fear any assassination attempts on his life.

Investigations have launched into the arrest of the accused individual in the past few hours.


Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Updated 55 min 5 sec ago
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Three vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

  • A projectile hit a container ship in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze

DUBAI: Three ‌vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on ​Wednesday.

One of the strikes led to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it.  

The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was targeted and damaged approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources cited by Reuters have said.

The ⁠fire had been extinguished and that there was no environmental impact, a report by the United ‌Kingdom Maritime ‌Trade Operations (UKMTO) said later, referring ​to ‌the ⁠incident. Necessary crew remained on the vessel.

Earlier, a container ship and a bulk carrier were hit off the coast of the UAE by unknown projectiles, UKMTO also said. 

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply, has dropped rapidly since the Iran conflict began on February 28.

The latest incidents increase the number of ships that have been attacked since the conflict began to at least 14.

(with Reuters)