UK troops train Tunisian forces to counter Islamic State

British Armed Forces will provide training to Tunisian forces to help stem the threat posed by Islamic State, the Defence Secretary has announced.

Michael Fallon has announced that a Short Term Training Team of around 40 UK military personnel has arrived in country to provide training on Operational Planning, Intelligence and Surveillance and mobile patrolling, which will help Tunisia counter illegal cross-border movement, particularly from neighbouring Libya.

The training, led by 4th Infantry Brigade, involves both theoretical and practical exercises that will assist the Tunisians to better guard their land borders, and will be delivered to around 200 personnel at Tunisian Army locations.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:

“We are determined to support our Tunisian allies to defend against Islamic State terrorists who slaughtered innocent Britons on a beach there last year. Our training will help Tunisian forces strengthen their border security and stop the spread of Islamic State along the coast.”

This is the third tranche of training delivered as part of Britain’s commitment to improving security in the region, following the previous instalments in February, and before that in late 2015.