Tunisia: 10 killed in attack on museum in capital

[LibCampFireClub 635]

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/18/africa/tunisia-parliament-evacuated/index.html

Edited March 18, 2015 by xxClosedxx

[LibCampFireClub 635]

**update

As many as 19 dead, several hostages freed.

[Ryan H 3,812]

~~Topic title edited to match title of news story.~~

[LibCampFireClub 635]

~~Topic title edited to match title of news story.~~

The topic title was inserted before there was a news story. Every news reporter in Tunisia is aware that this is the work of Islamic Radicals. By the way, Tunisia is the birthplace of the muslim brotherhood 1941.

[decocker 7,198]

The topic title was inserted before there was a news story. Every news reporter in Tunisia is aware that this is the work of Islamic Radicals. By the way, Tunisia is the birthplace of the muslim brotherhood 1941.

such a plethora of knowledge .

[LibCampFireClub 635]

There may be a link to what happened there and this story from a few hours before the event:

Islamic State group reports Tunisian leader killed in Libya

By Bouazza Ben Bouazza

POSTED: 03/17/2015 05:12:00 AM ABOUT 23 HOURS AGO

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — One of Tunisia's most wanted militants and a top field commander for the Islamic State group died fighting in Libya, the Tunisian government confirmed on Tuesday.

The Islamic State group posted a eulogy on a militant website for Ahmed al-Rouissi after he was killed in clashes around the Libyan city of Sirte — a stronghold for the Islamic State affiliate.

Tunisian Interior Ministry Spokesman Mohammed Ali Aroui told the state news agency that al-Rouissi's death had been confirmed through "scientific means" and in coordination with Libyan authorities.

There has been fighting around Sirte between IS militants and the Misrata-based 166th Battalion, which is loyal to the Libyan government in Tripoli.

Libya's internationally recognized parliament has been forced from the capital and meets in the eastern city of Tobruk. It is currently in talks with its Tripoli-based rival about forming a national unity government.

Al-Rouissi, 48, was considered the mastermind of a string of attacks carried out in Tunisia by the radical Ansar al-Shariah movement, including the 2013 assassinations of left-wing politicians Chokri Belaid and Mohammed Brahmi. Their deaths plunged Tunisia into a political crisis that eventually led to the resignation of the elected Islamist government.

Ansar al-Shariah founder Seifallah Ben Hassine, has been implicated in the September 2012 assault on the U.S. embassy in Tunis which resulted in severe property damage and the death of four protesters when security forces intervened.

Ben Hassine and Al-Rouissi fled to Libya where they began fighting under the banner of the Islamic State group, which already controls about a third of Syria and Iraq in a self-declared caliphate.

There are an estimated 3,000 Tunisians that have left the country to fight with extremist groups. Citing Tunisian Interior Ministry officials briefing the parliament on Tuesday, the state news agency said some 60 Tunisians had been killed so far in Syria.

"The greatest danger comes from Libya which is not just a transit country but one where terrorist groups have taken root and built training camps in many cities," said the report.

http://www.denverpost.com/popular/ci_27726732/islamic-state-group-reports-tunisian-leader-killed-libya

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Breaking news:

Up to 3 gunmen may be at large following attack on Tunisian museum that left 21 dead

Edited March 18, 2015 by xxClosedxx

[JohnR! 5,495]

A well of useless trivia, indeed.

such a plethora of knowledge .

[LibCampFireClub 635]

****Up to 59 dead reported

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

****Up to 59 dead reported

Where?

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Tunisian security forces end hostage standoff by killing 2 gunmen

Tunisian security forces ended a hostage standoff at a popular museum Wednesday by killing two gunmen who earlier stormed the facility and took several tourists captive, the country’s interior ministry says.

The two gunmen had opened fire on the National Bardo Museum in Tunis earlier Wednesday. Authorities said at least eight people were killed, including seven foreign tourists, and six people were wounded. Poland's Foreign Ministry announced that three Poles were among the wounded while the Italian Foreign Ministry said at least two Italians were wounded and 100 other Italians had been taken to a secure location.

Several tourists remained holed up inside the museum before security forces surrounded and then stormed the building. A security officer also was killed in the raid.

Tunisia's parliament building, near the museum, was evacuated during the standoff, according to a tweet by parliament member Sayida Ounissi.

The interior ministry said tourists were taken hostage by “two or more terrorists armed with Kalashnikovs.” Private radio station Radio Mosaique said the attackers were dressed in military-style clothing.

More on this...

Why Tunisia is a 'key target' for terror attacks

British, Italian, French and Spanish nationals were among those taken captive, local radio reported, according to the BBC.

"I condemn this terrorist attack in the strongest terms... we are very alert about how the situation is evolving," French Prime Minister Manuel Valls said.

Yasmine Ryan, a witness, told the BBC that a growing crowd of at least 500 people has amassed outside the museum.

"There's helicopters flying overhead and we just saw tanks rolling in," she said.

The National Bardo Museum, built within a 15th-century palace, is the largest museum in Tunisia with collections covering two floors, and it houses one of the world's largest collections of Roman mosaics.

It is unclear who the attackers are. Tunisia has struggled with violence by Islamic extremists in recent years, including some linked to the Islamic State group.

Tunisia recently completed a rocky road to democracy after overthrowing its authoritarian president in 2011. It has been more stable than other countries in the region, but it has struggled with violence by Islamic extremists in recent years, including some linked to the Islamic State group. It also has extremists linked to Al Qaeda's North Africa arm who occasionally target Tunisian security forces.

A disproportionately large number of Tunisian recruits -- some 3,000, according to government estimates -- have joined Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq.

The violence that Tunisia has seen in recent years has been largely focused on security forces, not foreigners or tourist sites.

The attack is a blow to Tunisia's efforts to revive its tourism industry.

The museum is near the North African country's parliament some 2 1/2 miles from the city center. A new wing with contemporary architecture was built as part of a 2009 renovation, doubling the surface area. Some 8,000 works are displayed in the museum, according to the website.

The attack comes the day after Tunisian security officials confirmed the death in neighboring Libya of a leading suspect in Tunisian terror attacks and the killings of two opposition figures in Tunisia.

Ahmed Rouissi, a senior commander of ISIS militants in Libya, gained the nickname of the "black box of terrorism." The information on his death was made public by security officials giving testimony in parliament and cited by the official TAP news agency.

Libya, which has devolved into chaos, is a source of major concern for Tunisia.

Also a major worry is the Mount Chaambi area on the border with Algeria where Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has reportedly been helping a Tunisian group which has killed numerous soldiers.

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/03/18/shots-reportedly-fired-near-major-tunisian-museum/

Edited March 18, 2015 by xxClosedxx

[LibCampFireClub 635]

Tunisia is place where democracy "sort of works" making it a key target for Islamic Radicals.

Why Tunisia is a 'key target' for terror attacks

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Very tragic event.