At least eight suspects were arrested and several "terrorist" cells in different parts of Tunisia were dismantled by security forces, the Interior Ministry said Friday.
Seven "dangerous individuals, led by terrorist Houssine Ben Abassia," were arrested in the northern city of Bizerte over accusations of robbing 16 houses in the area in order to finance their armed operations.
According to a ministry statement, the group planned to sell the stolen items in order to buy the necessary equipment and tools for their future "terrorist plans."
Security forces confiscated the items and national guard units are currently chasing four more individuals who are involved in this operation.
In the southern city of Gabes, local national guard units arrested "one of the most dangerous terrorists identified as Ala Eddine Tahri." Security forces acted on a tip-off which led to his arrest alongside with his militant group in possession of two Kalashnikov weapons, a pistol, a grenade, and ammunition."
The arrested suspects believed to be part of the "terrorist" militant wing Katibat Okba Ibn Nefaa.
The Interior Ministry further said that the National Guard Unit of Terrorism Crime Investigation arrested three people involved in creating a cell which recruits young Tunisians and arranges their illegal passage to Libya and then to other conflict zones like Syria and Iraq.
The cell aims at sending young Tunisian "Jihadists" through Libya to become extremist militants in areas led by the Islamic State and similar extremist groups.