In accordance with paragraph 13 of resolution 1822 (2008) and subsequent related resolutions, the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals, groups, undertakings and entities included in the ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List.
Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia was listed on 23 September 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 2 and 4 of resolution 2161 (2014) as being associated with Al-Qaida for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating of acts or activities by, in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf of, or in support of” the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (QDe.014).
Ansar al-Shari’a in Tunisia (AAS-T) is a Tunisian armed group founded by Seifallah ben Hassine (QDi.333) in early 2011. It has links to the Organization of Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (QDe.014) and has been implicated in attacks against Tunisian security forces, assassinations of Tunisian political figures, and an attempted bombing of a tourist hotel.
In September 2012, AAS-T was involved in an attack against the United States Embassy and the American Community School in Tunis City, Tunisia. In 2013, AAS-T was implicated in the assassination of two Tunisian politicians. In February 2013, Chokri Belaid was assassinated in front of his home by members of AAS-T, and in July 2013, Mohamed Brahmi was assassinated outside his home by members of AAS-T.
On 30 October 2013, AAS-T attempted to carry out suicide attacks against two tourist sites in Tunisia. The first attack took place when a bomber blew himself up outside a hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, resulting in no other fatalities. That same day, police prevented a suicide bombing in Monastir, Tunisia, when they arrested a would-be bomber at the Tomb of Habib Bourguiba.
AAS-T has also been involved in recruiting youth in Tunisia for fighting in Syria.