1980 Gafsa Uprising

The Gafsa events refer to an armed operation conducted by Libyan-backed Tunisian nationalists in January 1980, during which they infiltrated the Tunisian city of Gafsa via Tebessa in Algeria. The attackers gained control of most city centers, but their attempts to incite a revolt among the residents failed. Tunisian security and military forces eventually recaptured the city and apprehended the attackers, including their leader Ezzedine Chérif. The operation significantly strained relations between Tunisia and Libya and negatively impacted the Tunisian regime's relationship with the Algerian government, which had been tense since the early 1980s.