Security forces in Tunisia have killed a suspected foreign terrorist during an operation in the northwest of the country, the interior ministry said.

Security forces in Tunisia have killed a suspected foreign terrorist during an operation in the northwest of the country, the interior ministry said.

National Guard units shot the man, who was armed, between Mount Serj and Mount Ballouta in Siliana province on Sunday, ministry spokesman Walid Louguini told Mosaique FM.

"Security forces were able to shoot and kill a terrorist element who, according to an initial assessment, appears to be a foreigner," he said late on Sunday.

They seized a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a hand-grenade and another explosive device, he said.

Extremist militants have killed dozens of police and soldiers since the 2011 revolution that ousted longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Last year alone, the Islamic State group claimed attacks on the national museum in Tunis and a popular resort hotel, killing a total of 59 tourists, and the suicide bombing of a bus carrying presidential guards, in which 12 of them died.