The Death Toll from the Attack on Tourists in Tunisia Reaches 21

Tunisian security forces announced on Wednesday, March 18, that they had successfully freed all individuals who had been taken hostage at the Bardo National Museum in the capital, Tunis. According to Reuters, the Prime Minister of Tunisia stated that during the attack by two armed assailants on this museum, at least seventeen foreign tourists and one Tunisian citizen were killed, and a police officer also lost his life during the ensuing clashes. Reports indicate that the two armed assailants were also killed in the attack. Approximately 22 tourists were injured in this incident, with French, Italian, German, Polish, and Spanish citizens among those killed and injured. Reports suggest that the two attackers, armed with Kalashnikovs, were shot dead during a confrontation with security forces. Mohamed Ali Laroui, spokesman for the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior, told CNN that the two assailants were dressed in military uniforms and described them as 'Islamists.' According to Reuters, the attack occurred at the Bardo National Museum, which is adjacent to the Tunisian parliament and is considered part of the parliamentary complex, with the number of assailants likely being 'three.' Al Jazeera also reported that the assailants attacked the parliament and entered the museum through the parliamentary building. One Tunisian parliament member stated that after the attack, individuals were left injured inside the parliament. According to Al Jazeera, this Tunisian representative reported that, in addition to parliament members, the Minister of Justice, several prosecutors, and several high-ranking Tunisian military officials were present at the site before the attack. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, and there is no precise information regarding the attackers' motives. Tunisia, which witnessed a revolt against former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, has recently made successful strides toward democracy; however, the emergence of armed groups in the country remains a primary security concern for its officials. In February, the Tunisian Ministry of the Interior announced that approximately 100 'extremists' had been arrested, some of whom were linked to the 'Islamic State' (formerly ISIS) and intended to manufacture explosive materials. Estimates suggest that between 2,500 to 3,000 Tunisian citizens have gone to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS.