Samiri and Kahlaoui Module (Jihadi Entity, Tunisia)

• Local name: N/a
• Transliteration: N/a
• Alternatives: N/a
• Status: 2019 – 2019 (Defeated)
• Conflicts: Tunisian Islamist Militancy

The Samiri and Kahlaoui Module [DaIT-SKM] was a small Tunisian jihadi entity that was affiliated to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq wal ash-Sham]. The cell only had a few members and was led by Ayman al-Samiri.¹ Long-time associate Mohammed al-Kahlaoui apparently served as his deputy. Samiri was reportedly in contact with elements of the Soldiers of the Caliphate in Tunisia [JaKI; Jund al-Khilafa fi-Ifriqiya].²

Members of the cell apparently met while attending the Ghofran mosque in the Hay al-Intilaka suburb of Tunis. This place of worship was formerly linked to the Partisans of Shari’a in Tunisia [AST; Ansar Achariaâ] and remained a hub for radical Islamists after the crackdown on the movement.³ It was frequented by associates of the Tunisian DaIISh branches, including the terrorist who killed twelve presidential guards in a suicide bomb attack on Nov. 24, 2015.⁴

Samiri, Kahlaoui and several associates later also wanted to carry out attacks in the name of the DaIISh and set up their own cell. They initially planned to hit the international airport, beachgoers and embassies in Tunis, but eventually decided to strike at the security forces.⁵ Operatives went on to acquire explosives and make bombs.

On Jun. 27, 2019, Kahlaoui and an associate from Sidi Bouzid blew themselves up in two separate attacks on the police in the city of Tunis.⁶ A policeman and a bystander were killed in the blasts. The DaIISh asserted responsibility for the attacks later that day.⁷

In the wake of these attacks, police arrested several people linked to the bombers.⁸ Security forces also discovered explosives during the search of Kahlaoui’s home and at the premises of the mosque in Hay al-Intilaka.⁹ Several persons who had praised the bombings were also apprehended.¹⁰

Samiri managed to evade capture by the authorities for a few days. On Jul. 02, police intercepted him as he was on his way to carry out a suicide attack on national guardsmen in Ettadhamen.¹¹ Samiri blew himself up after getting shot by officers at a railway station.¹² The DaIISh asserted responsibility for the incident two days later.¹³ Following Samiri’s death, the authorities believed all members of the SKM had been killed or captured.¹⁴