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| Tunisia arrests suspects in museum attack, vows ‘merciless war’ on terror | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| TUNIS —Tunisian authorities arrested nine people Thursday in connection with a terrorist attack that killed 20 foreign tourists at a renowned museum, as the country’s president vowed to expand a “merciless war against terrorism.” | |
| The office of President Beji Caid Essebsi said the army would be deployed to major cities in the wake of Wednesday’s daylight attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis, an assault that threatened the stability of the lone country seen as an Arab Spring success. | The office of President Beji Caid Essebsi said the army would be deployed to major cities in the wake of Wednesday’s daylight attack on the Bardo Museum in Tunis, an assault that threatened the stability of the lone country seen as an Arab Spring success. |
| The presidential office said five of those arrested were “directly connected” to the attack, while the four others were linked to the attackers but were based outside the capital. The statement referred to the detainees as members of a “cell” but did not mention whether they were part of a larger organization. It did not provide details of the identities of those arrested or their alleged roles in the assault. | |
| Authorities raised the death toll Thursday to 23, including 20 foreign visitors from various countries including Japan, Italy, Spain, Colombia, Germany, Poland and Britain. In addition, three Tunisians died in the assault, and two attackers were killed when police raided the museum to end the siege and rescue hostages. | Authorities raised the death toll Thursday to 23, including 20 foreign visitors from various countries including Japan, Italy, Spain, Colombia, Germany, Poland and Britain. In addition, three Tunisians died in the assault, and two attackers were killed when police raided the museum to end the siege and rescue hostages. |
| The two dead attackers were identified as Tunisians. Prime Minister Habib Essid said one had been under surveillance by Tunisian intelligence services. | The two dead attackers were identified as Tunisians. Prime Minister Habib Essid said one had been under surveillance by Tunisian intelligence services. |
| The attack left more than 40 people wounded and drew global condemnation. The arrests came after Tunisian authorities broadened a nationwide manhunt for additional attackers who possibly fled the museum after the shootings. | |
| It was the deadliest terrorist attack in the North African nation in more than a decade. Although no group asserted responsibility, the bloodshed raised fears that militants linked to the Islamic State were expanding their operations after gaining footholds in neighboring Libya. | It was the deadliest terrorist attack in the North African nation in more than a decade. Although no group asserted responsibility, the bloodshed raised fears that militants linked to the Islamic State were expanding their operations after gaining footholds in neighboring Libya. |
| The bloodshed also was a possibly crippling blow to Tunisia’s tourism industry, a pillar of its economy. Two cruise ships — whose passengers were among the victims — left port early Thursday. | The bloodshed also was a possibly crippling blow to Tunisia’s tourism industry, a pillar of its economy. Two cruise ships — whose passengers were among the victims — left port early Thursday. |
| The attackers, clad in military uniforms, stormed the Bardo National Museum, seizing and gunning down foreign tourists before security forces raided the building to end the siege. The museum is a major tourist draw and is near the heavily guarded national parliament in Tunis. | The attackers, clad in military uniforms, stormed the Bardo National Museum, seizing and gunning down foreign tourists before security forces raided the building to end the siege. The museum is a major tourist draw and is near the heavily guarded national parliament in Tunis. |
| [Read: Tunisia sends most foreign fighters to Islamic State in Syria] | [Read: Tunisia sends most foreign fighters to Islamic State in Syria] |
| “I want the Tunisian people to understand that we are in a merciless war against terrorism and that these savage minorities do not frighten us,” said President Essebsi, who visited some of the dozens being treated for wounds in a Tunis hospital. | “I want the Tunisian people to understand that we are in a merciless war against terrorism and that these savage minorities do not frighten us,” said President Essebsi, who visited some of the dozens being treated for wounds in a Tunis hospital. |
| “We will fight them without mercy to our last breath.” | “We will fight them without mercy to our last breath.” |
| A special session of military and security officials was set to convene Thursday, said presidential spokesman Moez Sinaoui. | A special session of military and security officials was set to convene Thursday, said presidential spokesman Moez Sinaoui. |
| In an interview with France’s RTL radio, Prime Minister Essid said Tunisia is working with other countries to learn more about the attackers, identified as Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui. They were killed by security services in a raid after they attacked the museum. | In an interview with France’s RTL radio, Prime Minister Essid said Tunisia is working with other countries to learn more about the attackers, identified as Yassine Laabidi and Hatem Khachnaoui. They were killed by security services in a raid after they attacked the museum. |
| He said Laabidi had been flagged to intelligence, although not for “anything special.” | He said Laabidi had been flagged to intelligence, although not for “anything special.” |
| “Our nation is in danger,” Essid declared in a televised address Wednesday evening. | “Our nation is in danger,” Essid declared in a televised address Wednesday evening. |
| At the museum on Thursday, police deployed riot vans, barbed wire and dogs as they guarded the entrance, and plainclothes agents circulated through crowds of onlookers. | At the museum on Thursday, police deployed riot vans, barbed wire and dogs as they guarded the entrance, and plainclothes agents circulated through crowds of onlookers. |
| Police officers at the scene said three attackers opened fire on tourists who had just stepped off tour buses in a parking lot in front of the museum, then chased fleeing visitors inside the museum. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. They said the gunmen were wearing expensive clothes, including Nike shoes. | Police officers at the scene said three attackers opened fire on tourists who had just stepped off tour buses in a parking lot in front of the museum, then chased fleeing visitors inside the museum. The officers spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to reporters. They said the gunmen were wearing expensive clothes, including Nike shoes. |
| “If you saw them, you would never know they were terrorists,” one police officer said at the scene. | “If you saw them, you would never know they were terrorists,” one police officer said at the scene. |
| But a tour guide, Ala Hamdi, 22, gave a conflicting account. He said the attackers entered as civilians and assembled their guns inside the museum. Hamdi said he hunkered down with tourists for more than an hour waiting for the gunfire to subside. | |
| “There is no life for the youth in this country,” he said. “I feel like a zombie. This is why I was not afraid” when the terrorists attacked. | “There is no life for the youth in this country,” he said. “I feel like a zombie. This is why I was not afraid” when the terrorists attacked. |
| Youths demonstrating outside the museum Thursday held up placards that said in French: “I am Tunisian. I am Bardo. I am Charlie.” The latter was a reference to a terrorist attack in January that killed a dozen people at the Paris offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. | Youths demonstrating outside the museum Thursday held up placards that said in French: “I am Tunisian. I am Bardo. I am Charlie.” The latter was a reference to a terrorist attack in January that killed a dozen people at the Paris offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. |
| “Terrorism is a poison that kills everything that is good and unique in society,” said one of the placard-holding youths, Ehab Hamdi, 18. “We must fight this ideology with more culture and more education.” | “Terrorism is a poison that kills everything that is good and unique in society,” said one of the placard-holding youths, Ehab Hamdi, 18. “We must fight this ideology with more culture and more education.” |
| Another, 19-year-old Firas Chaouchi, said of the thousands of Tunisians who have flocked to join the Islamic State: “They are not part of us.” | Another, 19-year-old Firas Chaouchi, said of the thousands of Tunisians who have flocked to join the Islamic State: “They are not part of us.” |
| Tunisia, a mostly Muslim nation of about 11 million people, was governed for decades by autocrats who imposed secularism. Its sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches drew thousands of bikini-clad tourists, and its governments promoted education and other rights for women. But the country has grappled with rising Islamist militancy since a popular uprising overthrew its dictator four years ago, setting the stage for the Arab Spring revolts across the region. | Tunisia, a mostly Muslim nation of about 11 million people, was governed for decades by autocrats who imposed secularism. Its sun-drenched Mediterranean beaches drew thousands of bikini-clad tourists, and its governments promoted education and other rights for women. But the country has grappled with rising Islamist militancy since a popular uprising overthrew its dictator four years ago, setting the stage for the Arab Spring revolts across the region. |
| Thousands of Tunisians have flocked to join jihadist groups in Syria, including the Islamic State, making the country one of the major sources of foreign fighters in the conflict. Tunisian security forces have also increasingly fought gun battles with jihadists at home. | Thousands of Tunisians have flocked to join jihadist groups in Syria, including the Islamic State, making the country one of the major sources of foreign fighters in the conflict. Tunisian security forces have also increasingly fought gun battles with jihadists at home. |
| Despite this, the country has been hailed as a model of democratic transition as other governments that came to power after the Arab Spring collapsed, often in bloody confrontations. But the attack Wednesday — on a national landmark that showcases Tunisia’s rich heritage — could heighten tensions in a nation that has become deeply divided between pro- and anti-Islamist political factions. | Despite this, the country has been hailed as a model of democratic transition as other governments that came to power after the Arab Spring collapsed, often in bloody confrontations. But the attack Wednesday — on a national landmark that showcases Tunisia’s rich heritage — could heighten tensions in a nation that has become deeply divided between pro- and anti-Islamist political factions. |
| Many Tunisians accuse the country’s political Islamists, who held power from 2011 to 2013, of having been slow to respond to the growing danger of terrorism. Islamist politicians have acknowledged that they did not realize the threat that would develop when radical Muslims, who had been repressed under authoritarian regimes, won the freedom to preach freely in mosques. | Many Tunisians accuse the country’s political Islamists, who held power from 2011 to 2013, of having been slow to respond to the growing danger of terrorism. Islamist politicians have acknowledged that they did not realize the threat that would develop when radical Muslims, who had been repressed under authoritarian regimes, won the freedom to preach freely in mosques. |
| In Washington, White House press secretary Josh Earnest condemned the attack and said the U.S. government was willing to assist Tunisian authorities in the investigation. | In Washington, White House press secretary Josh Earnest condemned the attack and said the U.S. government was willing to assist Tunisian authorities in the investigation. |
| “This attack today is meant to threaten authorities, to frighten tourists and to negatively affect the economy,” said Lotfi Azzouz, Tunisia country director for Amnesty International, a London-based rights group. | “This attack today is meant to threaten authorities, to frighten tourists and to negatively affect the economy,” said Lotfi Azzouz, Tunisia country director for Amnesty International, a London-based rights group. |
| Tourism is critical to Tunisia’s economy, accounting for 15 percent of its gross domestic product in 2013, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, an industry body. The Bardo museum hosts one of the world’s most outstanding collections of Roman mosaics and is popular with tourists and Tunisians alike. | Tourism is critical to Tunisia’s economy, accounting for 15 percent of its gross domestic product in 2013, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council, an industry body. The Bardo museum hosts one of the world’s most outstanding collections of Roman mosaics and is popular with tourists and Tunisians alike. |
| The attack is “also aimed at the country’s security and stability during the transition period,” Azzouz said. “And it could have political repercussions — like the curtailing of human rights, or even less government transparency if there’s fear of further attacks.” | The attack is “also aimed at the country’s security and stability during the transition period,” Azzouz said. “And it could have political repercussions — like the curtailing of human rights, or even less government transparency if there’s fear of further attacks.” |
| The attack raised concerns that the government, led by secularists, would be pressured to stage a wider crackdown on Islamists of all stripes. Lawmakers are drafting an anti-terrorism bill to give security forces additional tools to fight militants. | The attack raised concerns that the government, led by secularists, would be pressured to stage a wider crackdown on Islamists of all stripes. Lawmakers are drafting an anti-terrorism bill to give security forces additional tools to fight militants. |
| “We must pay attention to what is written” in that law, Azzouz said. “There is worry the government will use the attack to justify some draconian measures.” | “We must pay attention to what is written” in that law, Azzouz said. “There is worry the government will use the attack to justify some draconian measures.” |
| Tunisian Islamists and secular forces have worked together — often reluctantly — to defuse the country’s political crises in the years since the revolt. | Tunisian Islamists and secular forces have worked together — often reluctantly — to defuse the country’s political crises in the years since the revolt. |
| Last fall, Tunisians elected a secular-minded president and parliament dominated by liberal forces after souring on Islamist-led rule. | Last fall, Tunisians elected a secular-minded president and parliament dominated by liberal forces after souring on Islamist-led rule. |
| In 2011, voters had elected a government led by the Ennahda party — a movement similar to Egypt’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. But a political stalemate developed as the party and others tried to draft the country’s new constitution. The Islamists failed to improve a slumping economy. And Ennahda was criticized for what many Tunisians saw as a failure to crack down on Islamist extremists. | In 2011, voters had elected a government led by the Ennahda party — a movement similar to Egypt’s Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. But a political stalemate developed as the party and others tried to draft the country’s new constitution. The Islamists failed to improve a slumping economy. And Ennahda was criticized for what many Tunisians saw as a failure to crack down on Islamist extremists. |
| After the collapse of the authoritarian system in 2011, hard-line Muslims known as Salafists attacked bars and art galleries. Then, in 2012, hundreds of Islamists assaulted the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, shattering windows and hurling gasoline bombs, after the release of a crude online video about the prophet Muhammad. The government outlawed the group behind the attack — Ansar al-Sharia, an al-Qaeda-linked organization — and began a crackdown. But the killing of two leftist politicians in 2013 prompted a fresh political crisis, and Ennahda stepped down, replaced by a technocratic government. | After the collapse of the authoritarian system in 2011, hard-line Muslims known as Salafists attacked bars and art galleries. Then, in 2012, hundreds of Islamists assaulted the U.S. Embassy in Tunis, shattering windows and hurling gasoline bombs, after the release of a crude online video about the prophet Muhammad. The government outlawed the group behind the attack — Ansar al-Sharia, an al-Qaeda-linked organization — and began a crackdown. But the killing of two leftist politicians in 2013 prompted a fresh political crisis, and Ennahda stepped down, replaced by a technocratic government. |
| Security officials are particularly concerned by the collapse of Libya, where various armed groups are vying for influence and jihadist militants have entrenched themselves in major cities. Tunisians worry that extremists can easily get arms and training in the neighboring country. | Security officials are particularly concerned by the collapse of Libya, where various armed groups are vying for influence and jihadist militants have entrenched themselves in major cities. Tunisians worry that extremists can easily get arms and training in the neighboring country. |
| In January, Libyan militants loyal to the Islamic State beheaded 21 Christians — 20 of them Egyptian Copts — along the country’s coast. They later seized the Libyan city of Sirte | In January, Libyan militants loyal to the Islamic State beheaded 21 Christians — 20 of them Egyptian Copts — along the country’s coast. They later seized the Libyan city of Sirte |
| Officials are worried about the number of Tunisian militants who may have joined the jihadists in Libya — with the goal of returning home to fight the Tunis government. | Officials are worried about the number of Tunisian militants who may have joined the jihadists in Libya — with the goal of returning home to fight the Tunis government. |
| Deane reported from Rome. Hend Hassassi in Tunis and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. | Deane reported from Rome. Hend Hassassi in Tunis and Brian Murphy in Washington contributed to this report. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| The worrisome return of a familiar terror target: tourists | The worrisome return of a familiar terror target: tourists |
| Bardo museum houses amazing Roman treasures | Bardo museum houses amazing Roman treasures |
| Why Tunisia, Arab Spring’s sole success story, suffers from Islamist violence | Why Tunisia, Arab Spring’s sole success story, suffers from Islamist violence |