Growing youth demonstrations sweeping nation

TUNIS, Tunisia — A growing groundswell of youth unrest, tapping into a well of economic frustration, is sweeping Tunisia and worrying its leadership all the way to the top. It is, after all, the country that triggered the 2011 Arab Spring revolutions.

A third of the North African nation’s young people are unemployed — and many are angry about their stagnant fortunes. For the fourth consecutive day, they have taken to the streets in violent demonstrations across the country of 11.7 million — from the capital of Tunis, to the cities of Kasserine, Gafsa, Sousse and Monastir.

The protests have led to a muscular response from authorities who fear a repeat of the protests that led to the ousting of strongman President Zine alAbidine Ben Ali 10 years ago. The army has been deployed in four hot spots.

Houssem Zouari / AFP / Getty Images Tunisian protesters lift placards and chant during an anti-government demonstration in the coastal city of Sfax.