The Tunisian Official Gazette has published a new decree extending the buffer zone along its border with Libya for an additional year.
This zone, which encompasses the southern, southeastern, and western sectors of the country, will now remain in effect from August 29, 2024, to August 29, 2025, according to the latest issue of the Gazette.
The Tunisian authorities first established the buffer zone along the borders with Libya and Algeria in 2013 during the presidency of Moncef Marzouki.
The primary aim of this zone is to protect the borders and prevent the smuggling of weapons.
Tunisia shares approximately 500 kilometers of land border with Libya and about 1,000 kilometers with Algeria.
Since the fall of the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali regime in early 2011, Tunisian authorities have been enhancing their military capabilities to combat the smuggling of goods, drugs, and weapons, as well as the infiltration of armed militants.
Last Monday, Tunisia received four C208 aircraft from the United States, equipped with surveillance and reconnaissance systems.
Tunisian Defense Minister, Khaled Sahili, stated that these aircraft are designated for reconnaissance and are fitted with the latest systems, which will bolster the military and operational capabilities of the Tunisian army in combating terrorism and cross-border organized crime, as reported by “Tunis Telegraph.”
The aircraft, C-208 models, were delivered to the military base at El Aouina in Tunis. The ceremony was attended by Defense Minister Khaled El Souhaili and US Ambassador to Tunisia John Hood.
Sahili stated that the aircraft are equipped with advanced systems that will enhance the capabilities of the Tunisian military in combating terrorism and transnational organized crime.
He noted that the delivery of these aircraft is part of a bilateral military cooperation program agreed upon during the 34th session of the Joint Military Committee held in 2020.
