At least 39 people have been declared dead at an attack on a beachside hotel in Tunisia, in an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS).
The attack at the Imperial Marhaba in Sousse, carried out by at least one gunman who opened fire on tourists, is the second major attack to have taken place in Tunisia this year, with 21 foreign tourists having been killed at the Tunis Bardo museum earlier this year. Tunisian, British, German, Irish and Belgian nationals were amongst the dead
In a statement released on social media, IS reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, stating, "Our brother, the soldier of the Caliphate, Abu Yihya al-Kairouni, reached his target the Imperial hotel despite the security measures".
The attack came on the same day that suspected Islamist related attacks took place in France and Kuwait. At least 25 people were killed in the bombing of a Shi'ite mosque in Kuwait, an attack also claimed by IS, whilst a man was reportedly found decapitated with his body daubed with Islamic writing.
Commenting on the attacks, French President Francois Hollande said, "there is no other link other than to say that terrorism is our common enemy".
In a statement released in the aftermath of the attacks, the White House said “We stand with these nations as they respond to attacks on their soil today, and we have been in contact with appropriate counterparts in all three countries to offer any necessary support”. “ Terrorism has no place in any society, and the United States will continue to work closely with our international partners to combat terrorist actors and counter violent extremism around the globe,” concluded the statement.
The attack at the Imperial Marhaba in Sousse, carried out by at least one gunman who opened fire on tourists, is the second major attack to have taken place in Tunisia this year, with 21 foreign tourists having been killed at the Tunis Bardo museum earlier this year. Tunisian, British, German, Irish and Belgian nationals were amongst the dead
In a statement released on social media, IS reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, stating, "Our brother, the soldier of the Caliphate, Abu Yihya al-Kairouni, reached his target the Imperial hotel despite the security measures".
The attack came on the same day that suspected Islamist related attacks took place in France and Kuwait. At least 25 people were killed in the bombing of a Shi'ite mosque in Kuwait, an attack also claimed by IS, whilst a man was reportedly found decapitated with his body daubed with Islamic writing.
Commenting on the attacks, French President Francois Hollande said, "there is no other link other than to say that terrorism is our common enemy".
In a statement released in the aftermath of the attacks, the White House said “We stand with these nations as they respond to attacks on their soil today, and we have been in contact with appropriate counterparts in all three countries to offer any necessary support”. “ Terrorism has no place in any society, and the United States will continue to work closely with our international partners to combat terrorist actors and counter violent extremism around the globe,” concluded the statement.