TUNISIAN security forces decimated the leadership of a Tunisian jihadi group linked to al-Qaida’s North African branch, including the man identified as the “operational chief” of the attack this month on the National Bardo Museum that killed 22 people, mostly foreign tourists, the interior minister said Sunday.

    Najem Gharsalli said Lokman Abou Sakhr, an Algerian, handled the operational end of the March 18 attack. Two gunmen were killed in the attack. Dozens of arrests have been made, five security officials fired and an officer charged with surveying the museum jailed.

    Two other Algerians were among nine people killed Saturday by security forces in Gafsa, near the Algerian border, the minister told reporters, saying the leadership of the Okba Ignou Nafaa Brigade, which has killed dozens of security forces, was decimated.

    Gharsalli proclaimed the “beginning of the war against terrorism,” and revealed that Tunisia has acquired new equipment, “including drones.”

    The announcement came as tens of thousands of Tunisians marched, joined by a handful of foreign leaders for a ceremony after the march to the National Bardo Museum. Among those present were French President Francois Hollande and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

    The international visitors were showing solidarity with Tunisia, whose fragile new democracy was deeply shaken by the museum attack.

    The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the Bardo attack, and it was unclear what ties the Tunisian brigade may have with the group.

    (SD-Agencies)