<p>Tunisian security forces engaged in a series of gunfights with an unidentified group of armed militants in Sidi Bouzid on April 30. Tunisian officials said</a> several militants were killed while others remain holed up in a siege situation.</p><p>The gunmen had been holed up in several houses in the city’s eastern Ouled Chelbi neighborhood before security forces launched an operation following intelligence reports</a> that an Islamic State cell had entered the country illegally through Libya. One militant on the second floor of a building detonated his suicide vest, while security officials said</a> the security situation remains ongoing. Several police have been wounded.</p><p>Shortly after the event began unfolding, IS-affiliated Telegram channels shared the same video, reporting “a shooting and explosion happened in Sidi Bouzid in a fight against Tunisian police.” That said, it remains unclear as to whether or not the gunmen have any affiliation to IS at the time of writing.</p><br />
