Villagers living on the borders of Tunisia and Algeria have started leaving their homes, as they have become easy targets of violent extremist groups, like Uqba ibn Nafie, hiding in the mountainous areas in western Tunisia. Already marginalized and lacking basic infrastructure such as running water, schools, and health centers, these rural residents have been forced to either work as informants for Tunisian security or surrender to extremists and provide them with food.

Villagers living on the borders of Tunisia and Algeria have started leaving their homes, as they have become easy targets of violent extremist groups, like Uqba ibn Nafie, hiding in the mountainous areas in western Tunisia. Already marginalized and lacking basic infrastructure such as running water, schools, and health centers, these rural residents have been forced to either work as informants for Tunisian security or surrender to extremists and provide them with food.

Last month 11-year-old Wahib was home alone when intruders broke into his house in Mazraq Shams in search of food. When the boy continued to scream, the intruders cut off a part of his tongue. “The area we live in does not have the simplest life requirements,” says Wahib’s father. “Here, there is no security, no nothing.”

Wahib’s father says the valley near his home directly leads to Djebel Semmama where intruders who break into their houses hole up. “The terrorists can pass through the valley without being detected by any military patrols because it’s a huge area with rugged routes,” he adds.

Wahib has since returned to school but with a speech impediment. His parents say they are living in terror. Since the attack on Wahib, scores of neighboring families have left their homes.

The death of a sheperd

Last month’s killing of a shepherd in Kasserine still haunts villagers here. On the day of his funeral, the area around the shepherd’s house had no security or military presence. His widow Mbarka Qassimi said all she wants is “a safe home.”

“The terrorists’ danger is still imminent,” said Ahmed Qassimi, the shepherd’s father, pointing at the mountain overlooking his house. “Since my son was killed in broad day light, we have become insecure because the army itself is subject to killing.”

Hadi, the shepherd’s brother, does not rule out the targeting of the rest of his family. Therefore, they now guard their homes at night and do not leave them at day lest they should be looted.

Social worker Emad Rakik believes that insecurity and a lack of basic needs will lead border villagers to leave their homes, which will facilitate controlling the area by insurgents.

Governor of Kasserine Shazli Bulak says the government plans to meet a number of residents’ demands, including drinking water, sanitation, lights, jobs and housing improvements. He however admits that implementing such projects depends on allocating the needed funds by the government which is already having a hard time cutting its budget deficiency in light of rising state expenditure and falling revenues.