QASRAYN, AL-

also spelled Kasserine, town, west-central Tunisia. The town is an important market, road, and rail junction and is the centre of an irrigated agricultural area. Its economic activities include the cultivation of olives and esparto grass and the manufacture of paper pulp. Kasserine Pass to the northwest was the scene of a decisive battle of the Tunisian campaign in World War II, which contributed to the collapse of German resistance in northern Africa. The surrounding area is one of sheep and cattle raising and irrigated grain growing. Oil fields, connected by pipeline with As-Sukhayrah (La Skhirra) on the Gulf of Gabes, are located at Ad-Dulab (Douleb). The chief towns of the area, besides Al-Qasrayn, are Talah (Thala), Subaytilah (Sbeitla), and Furriyanah (Feriana). The ruins of ancient Roman settlements, Sufetula and Cillium, are near the towns of Subaytilah and Al-Qasrayn, respectively. Pop. (1989 est.) 59,767.