Tunis Secure Transportation Services

ETS Security Overview - Tunisia 

Since the 2011 uprising (Arab Spring), attacks in Tunisia have killed dozens of members of the security forces and foreign tourists. In June 2015, 38 people were killed in a shooting rampage at the coastal resort of Sousse, which targeted tourists, while an attack on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis the same year left 22 people dead. The attacks decimated Tunisia’s crucial tourism sector, which made up seven percent of gross domestic product. The country has been under a state of emergency since November 2015, when a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) armed group in Tunis killed 12 presidential guards.

Tunisia General Security Overview:

There has been a significant increase in terrorist activities and attacks in the past few years, with several attacks targeting tourists; making it likely for terrorists to conduct more attacks in Tunisia in the future. The general travel safety advice for Tunisia is to remain vigilant at all times, especially around religious sites, and follow advice from local security authorities. The security situation in Tunisia is unstable and a State of Emergency is in place since November 2015. Tunisia’s neighbour, Libya, experiences high levels of terrorism and suffers from a lack of security. The borders between the countries are porous, allowing terrorist activity to spill over into the country. For this reason, you should avoid traveling to the East and South areas of Tunisia that are within 30km of the borders with Algeria and Libya. The borders between Tunisia and Libya and Tunisia and Algeria have seen an increase of Tunisian security forces, as it tries to combat cross-border violence and terrorist threat. Borders can be closed at any time with very little warning. It is believed that tourist destinations and western nationals remain key targets of attack and as such, visitors should remain on high alert at all times and avoid areas where large volumes of people may gather.

Tunis Crime Overview:

Incidents of crime are reported to have increased since the uprising, notably street crimes such as bag snatching and petty theft. Thieves often target foreign nationals in areas popular with tourists, such as the Tunis Medina and central market areas. As with all destinations, there is a risk of theft. Thefts from vehicles have also been recorded around the countries beach resort and tourist hotels. There is a heavy presence of firearms Police, which can be slightly daunting. However, this does allow you to move in relative safety around the city. There have been reported cases of women travelers being harassed by locals.

Terrorism Threat in Tunisia:

In March 2015, gunmen killed 20 tourists and two Tunisians in an attack on the National Bardo Museum in the capital, Tunis. According to security officials the main target of the attack had been the neighboring parliament building. However, when the assailants were unable to access it they raided the museum instead. Three months later an armed gunman killed 38 tourists in an attack in the resort of Port El Kantaoui near the city of Sousse. The attacks, which were both claimed by the Islamic State (IS) jihadist group, were the deadliest in Tunisia since the 2002 synagogue bombing in Djerba, which killed 19 people. Since 2013 there has also been an increase in activity by internal Islamic militant groups, most notably the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade and Ansar al-Sharia in Tunisia. There have been several attacks against Tunisian security forces, often in the western Kasserine Governorate near the Algerian border, including an ambush in July 2014, which killed 14 soldiers. Tunisia is also vulnerable to the ongoing insecurity in neighboring Libya, where IS has developed a significant presence around Derna and Sirte. The Tunisian government has responded to this threat by announcing plans to build a 160km wall along the Libyan border.

Road Safety Tunisia:

Driving in Tunisia is an interesting experience and not for the faint hearted. Tunisian drivers are aggressive and have poor driving habits. If stopped by the police they will check these documents, if they are wrong they will prevent you from continuing your journey until they are corrected.

All clients utilizing our services get free access to the ExploreSecure® Travel Security Training.

Secure Airport Transfers in Tunisia

ETS can facilitate security airport transfers in Tunis to ensure safe and secure movement from the airport to your hotel, and vice versa. We have a range of vehicle options, all with security drivers, and our Executive Protection officers can facilitate a secure meet and greet service and escort into the hotel on arrival.

Tunis Secure Transportation, VIP Protection and Special Event Security

ETS supported an international event of 5,000 people in Tunis which involved the provision of asset protection, security perimeter, access control, VIP protection, and liaison with Tunisian, military, police, and intelligence services.

Tunisia Secure Transportation Services and Executive protection

ETS Risk Management has extensive operational experience within Tunisia and has provided Special event project management, secure transportation, and Executive Protection services in Tunis to a range of corporate and NGO clients. Our local Executive Protection and security transport services are overseen by an in-country UK Expatriate based in Tunis stemming from UK Special Forces.