Tunisia Forces Storm ‘militant Hideout’ Killing Six(6)

One gunman and five women were killed in the raid on the house in the Oued Ellil area, officials said.

An interior ministry spokesman described all six as “terrorists”. A second gunman and a child were also said to be injured.

The authorities are on high alert, with parliamentary elections due on Sunday.

Security forces had surrounded the house, where they said at least two gunmen were hiding, since Thursday.

Interior ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said on Friday: “Special forces approached the kitchen where the terrorists were hiding.

“The women came out of the kitchen firing.”

Earlier, negotiations had been held to try to enable women and children in the house to leave, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.

One police officer was also killed on Thursday after the two sides exchanged fire.

The killing of five women and the wounding of a child will cast a shadow over Sunday’s parliamentary elections, BBC Arab Affairs Editor Sebastian Usher reports.

The authorities had warned of likely militant attacks ahead of the poll, our correspondent adds. (BBC)