TUNIS: Tunisian troops have deployed aircraft and artillery pieces in a western mountain region after overnight clashes with suspected militants linked to Al-Qaeda’s north Africa branch.

Defense Ministry spokesman Tawfik Rahmouni told Mosaique FM radio that Friday’s deployment followed an overnight gunfight in an area around the Jebel Chaambi mountain. He did not say if there were casualties.

Authorities say the area is a base for about 30 militants linked to Ansar Al-Shariah — a local movement of ultraconservative Muslims with alleged links to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

The military has beefed up its presence after eight soldiers were ambushed and killed in the region on Monday. Rahmouni said Tunisian forces were coordinating with Algeria’s military, which has boosted its deployment on the other side of the border.