Tunisia shoot-out over, 6 dead

A more than 24-hour standoff between Tunisian National Guards and alleged "terrorists" in the east of the capital Tunis is now over, having left six people dead.

Five of the casualties were women, who had been trapped in the house during the confrontation, and the sixth was one of the suspected "terrorists."

A child and another alleged assailant were also injured - two other people who had been trapped in the house were able to leave after the end of the operation.

Tunisian National Guards raided the house early on Thursday morning, after they were given information by two people arrested after a brief armed confrontation in the south of the country.

The violence comes just days before millions of Tunisians are expected to take to the polls - expatriate Tunisians have already begun voting.

Ministry officials said in a press conference yesterday that the violence is linked to the elections, and that militants are attempting to foil the country's democratic transition. 

Yusra al-Ghannoushi, international spokesperson for Tunisia's al-Nahda party, told MEE that "these attempts to derail the democratic process and sow division between Tunisians will fail, just as they have failed in the past.

"At this time, we need to demonstrate unity and commitment to the success of our democracy."