Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade
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The Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade, named after the 7th-century Arab general by the same name who played a key role in North Africa Muslim conquests,[1] is a militant brigade affiliated with Al-Qaeda's North African branch - al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).[2] Operating in the mountain regions along the Algerian-Tunisian border and Kasserine Governorate, including Djebel Chaambi, Djebel Sammama, Djebel Selloum, and Djebel Mghilla,[3] the brigade has conducted numerous high-profile attacks against Tunisian security forces, causing an approximate 60 deaths since late 2012.[4] Internal conflict has split the militant group into two with some of its fighters joining the ranks of the Islamic State (IS).[1]
The brigade was involved in the deadly March 2015 Bardo National Museum attack which resulted in the deaths of 21 foreign nationals and a single Tunisian. While Jund al-Khilafah claimed responsibility,[5] Tunisia linked the brigade as being behind the attack. In response, Tunisian security forces carried out an operation against the group, killing nine militants, including Lokmane Abou Sakhr - organizer of the museum attack.[4]
On April 30, 2017, the Tunisian National Guard dealt a heavy blow to the brigade with the killing of their commander Abu Sufyan al-Soufi.[6] Brigade attacks have still persisted though, evidenced with the landmine attacks in December of that year, which caused the death of a single soldier and the wounding of six more.[6] This is due to the organization's robust organizational structure that allows members to replace fallen commanders and ensuring continued operations.[6]