Introduction
The world of today is one where different parties compete for their economic, social, and political interests. In the international climate, the conversation is led by nation-states, comprised of several people who are often unified by borders, tradition, and history. Despite the widespread understanding of what a country is, individual nations often face internal tensions that seek to redefine how their territory is run or understood. This includes ideological conflicts, religious disputes, power struggles, revolutions, and other organized movements aimed at changing a country’s regime.
Resistance and change movements typically stem from public discontent or the emergence of organizations that address people’s feelings of restlessness through direct action. After their establishment, such entities may employ various tactics and approaches to reach their goals. Anti-establishment action includes protests, acts of terrorism, guerrilla warfare, and bombings, among others.
This work will discuss a case of insurgent activity in Tunisia. First, it will be necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of what an insurgency is, which will then be followed by a thorough discussion of the case in question. Understanding the core factors behind the resistance movement will allow one to realize how political and social instability affects Tunisia today. Furthermore, it will serve as a case study of similar anti-establishment movements.
Defining Insurgency
An insurgency can be defined in various ways, typically contrasted against other organized movements. Specifically, an insurgency is typically a smaller movement aimed at overthrowing the government and establishing a new power structure. An insurgency comprises smaller organizations and cells of people, each working for a shared goal. Compared to a revolution, the scale of the operation is much smaller and more fragmented, diminishing the power and influence of the movement. Additionally, an insurgency may lack a central, organized, and singular chain of command, making action coordination difficult.
In most cases, an insurgency employs arms to achieve its objectives. Despite its methods, an insurgency, much like other movements, represents the desires of a part of the population, to some extent. Therefore, the moral value of a resistance movement, justification for its methods, or support for it must be judged on a case-by-case basis. For example, an insurgency lies at the foundation of the United States of America.
Rebelling against the British Empire, the American colonies fought for their independence and ultimately established their own nation. If one discusses these events today, the foundation of the US is primarily considered positive, as the country has demonstrated its values, created opportunities for people, and become a global superpower. Considering such examples, it becomes crucial to understand how insurgency movements develop, their objectives, and their outcomes.
Case Overview – Tunisia
Tunisia is a country in the northern part of Africa. With a storied and rich history, the country boasts several official languages, diverse ethnic groups, and a variety of religions within its territory. Primarily, Tunisian residents speak Tunisian Arabic and are predominantly Muslim. In terms of its government structure, the nation is a presidential republic, following a surge in social development after the 2011 revolution.
Compared to other African countries, Tunisia is noted for being fairly well-integrated into the global market, maintaining relationships with major European powers, and providing its people with a good standard of living. However, the nation suffers from a constant stream of insurgent activity, primarily caused by the Islamic State. Engagement between the two entities began in 2015 and continues to this day. Several prominent radical Islamic groups are said to work in tandem on Tunisia’s territory, including ISIL and Ansar al-Sharia.
The first skirmishes between the radical actors and the state happened on the Algerian border, where Tunisia dispatched its forces to help (Australian Army Research Centre, 2022). After the first encounter proved to be fatal, the country found itself dealing with the extremist organization on its own territory. In 2015, a terrorist attack at the Bardo National Museum caused a news uproar (The Guardian, 2015).
Endangering the lives of many and killing at least 20 people, including foreigners. The attack was quickly connected to ISIS activity in the nation. At the initial stages of the organization’s work, their presence and frequent suicide attacks were considered to be made for public intimidation. After 2016, however, their actions gained a more radical and expansive presence, making the government and news media recognize them as a potential insurgent force. In contemporary Tunisia, the insurgency is actively attempting to undermine the existing regime and establish territorial control.
Key Factors
Historic Context
Tunisia has had a tumultuous and varied past, experiencing dictatorship, exploitation, and corruption to a large extent. Until 2011, the country had been under the leadership of Ben Ali, a largely unfavorable and disliked president. The inability of Ali’s government to address emergent social issues, such as rising unemployment, government corruption, lack of representation, and violence, has sparked the flame of unrest. Instead of focusing on improving the living conditions of ordinary people in Tunisia, its rulers prioritized international relations, foreign investments, and the suppression of opposition.
As a result, people largely felt voiceless and underrepresented. A series of civil protests swept the country, with the release of confidential government documents serving as its foundation. People were discontent with the state of the country, taking to the streets to let their voices be heard. Coming from the provinces, the protests quickly reached the capital city, where even larger groups of people gathered to demand jobs and social change.
The police were relentless in their response, often beating protesters and employing tear gas to disperse crowds. Multiple acts of violence broke out during the protests, including both accidental and deliberate deaths of some of the participants. In the process, many of Tunisia’s lawyers have contributed their services to the cause, resulting in many of them being attacked by law enforcement. Both lawyers and teachers went on strike as a result of this development. As a result of many days of protests, Ben Ali fled the country under pressure, and the democratic order was established.
The media coverage surrounding the revolution and the general social sentiment of the time indicated that many were content with the changes in government. However, many of the problems indicative of the former presidential regime did not simply disappear from the country. Systemic inequality, lack of opportunity, low-paying wages, and increasing prices for necessities have all continued to be a point of concern for most Tunisians.
Then, similar feelings of discontent were exploited as a means to undermine the country. Radical movements and organizations, such as ISIS, used the grievances of the people to recruit them into their organization. The connection between social unrest and the presence of radical organizations throughout the surrounding area made Tunisia a prime target for terrorist and insurgent activity.
Modern Issues
Compared to other terrorist and insurgency organizations, the conflict between Tunisia and ISIL/Ansar al-Sharia has been relatively recent. While there have been terror attacks in the past, the current conflict is more modern and unprecedented, owing to the unique political structure and geographical position of the nation. The first event that can be attributed to the relationship between the state and anti-establishment entities is a terrorist attack on the 26th of June, 2015. The mass shooting happened at a tourist resort, where the instigators killed 38 people. In the same year, a bus with presidential guards exploded, killing at least 12.
This move has sparked national outrage and raised concerns about the militant movements within the country. Some other events prior to June 2015 can be attributed to the work of future insurgency organizations, specifically those facilitated by Ansar al-Sharia. Since 2012, the organization has helped organize protests, rally movements, carry out individual attacks, and even potentially assassinate politicians (Zelin, 2021). These acts have slowly worked to develop and expand the influence of extremist movements within the country, up to a level where their presence could be acutely felt.
Sustaining Irregular Warfare
As a source of terrorist threat, ISIS and its sub-organizations are especially threatening. Targeting the tourism and travel sector primarily, they represent a danger to both Tunisian natives and foreigners. As a whole, organizations like ISIS are especially well-rooted in Arab countries, being connected with their despotic regimes and religious population. One aspect of these organizations that makes them dangerous is their extensive preparedness. This includes member training, combat experience, and an extensive financing network (Lounnas, 2019). Tunisian enemies, such as the Ansar al Sharia, additionally took advantage of prisoner amnesties and other political events to bolster their ranks.
In addition, ISIS is separated into many smaller sections and organizations, all of which may have their own command, leadership, and specific approaches, making it difficult to exterminate the entire movement. Despite Tunisia’s relatively strong democracy and continued opposition to terrorism, insurgency movements still found their roots inside the nation.
However, it is important to note that the state’s zero-tolerance approach toward the terrorist group and the active support of other nations, such as Algeria and Tunisia, significantly weakened the terrorist influence on its territory (Herbert, 2020). According to most sources, the peak of anti-state activity within the nation fell between 2011 and 2016. In Tunisia today, Islamic movements are a small portion of what they used to be.
Conclusion
In conclusion, insurgencies are a continuous and considerable threat to nations’ sovereignty and well-being. In cases where their presence endangers the public’s well-being, governments collaborate with others or take their own action. Such acts are made to protect the existing social rule and safeguard the people of a nation. Insurgencies stem from existing political, religious, and social movements that see the existence of a state in its current form as antithetical to their goals.
By using radical acts of violence, such as terrorism, assassination, and bombings, insurgencies can secure power, territorial control, and influence. In the case of Tunisia, the presence of radical Islamist groups within the state puts its people and their well-being at risk. Organizations such as ISIS and the AST work in deregulated ways, undermining the security of Tunisia.
Supported by considerable finances, extensive training, and ideological education, members of these movements can enact acts of terror and reach their goals quickly. Their presence has grown steadily from 2012 to 2016, putting Tunisia’s security and wellness at risk. The issue escalated in 2015, when a tourist resort was attacked. After this point, several other prominent terrorist acts have provoked a more aggressive response from the government. Until 2022, Tunisia worked closely alongside other nations to eliminate and exterminate the threat of terrorism in its territory.
References
“A Challenge from Insurgency to the Nation-State,” Australian Army Research Centre, 2022. Web.
“Tunis Museum Attack: 20 People Killed After Hostage Drama at Tourist Site,” The Guardian, 2015. Web.
Aaron Zelin, “Tunisia 2021: Ennahda Vs. Extremists,” Wilson Center, 2021. Web.
Djallil Lounnas, “The Tunisian Jihad: Between al‐Qaeda and ISIS,” Middle East Policy 26, no. 1 (2019). Web.
Matt Herbert, “Warning Signs from Tunisia’s Localised Terrorist Insurgency,” ISS Africa, 2020. Web.