Tunisia Closes Border with Libya After Attack Kills 50

The Tunisian government ordered the closure of its border with Libya on Monday and restricted access to southern regions following the killing of at least 50 people in an attack by suspected jihadists.

Armed men infiltrated the country from neighboring Libya, attacking a checkpoint and a police station in the border town of Ben Gardane.

The Tunisian Ministry of Interior said traffic has been suspended through the border crossing of Ras Ajdir, located about 50 kilometers from the site of the attack. The government is also blocking access to the resort island of Djerba.

It has not been confirmed that the attackers crossed over the border, but it was the type of militant operation Tunisia's government has long feared would spillover from Libya, where Islamic State militants have gained ground.

Since its 2011 revolt to oust ruler Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali, Tunisia has struggled with Islamist militancy at home and over the border. Militants trained in jihadist camps in Libya carried out two attacks last year in Tunisia.