Attack at Tunisian Museum Leaves at Least 19 Dead

At least 19 people, including two Tunisians and 17 foreign tourists, were killed in Tunis yesterday when gunmen stormed the Bardo National Museum in the Tunisian capital. The assailants originally targeted the Tunisian parliament but were pushed back by security guards there. They then attacked tour buses outside the museum before entering the building and holding its occupants hostage. Two of the gunmen were killed in a shootout, but two or three others are believed to remain at large; at least one of the men had been previously identified to intelligence services as a concern. No group has taken credit for the attack, but the Islamic State praised the action on social media.

Parliament was in session during the attack and a video posted on Facebook shows politicians defiantly singing Tunisia’s national anthem while under lockdown. However, some analysts are concerned that the attack threatens to undermine the country’s democratic transition, which has been rattled at times by political assassinations. The attack could also have severe ramifications for Tunisia’s economy, which is largely driven by tourism. In a televised address on Wednesday night, President Beji Caid Essebsi called the event a “major tragedy” and vowed to strengthen the nation’s military. “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,” he said in separate remarks this morning.

U.S. May Pursue U.N. Resolution Criticizing Israel

After Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s strong showing in the Israeli elections on Tuesday and his late-campaign declaration that no Palestinian state will be established during his tenure, the United States is considering pursuing a U.N. Security Council resolution in support of the “resumption of political talks to conclude a final peace settlement,” Foreign Policy reports. The resolution is seen as an alternative to the Palestinian Authority’s push for recognition by the International Criminal Court. “Under this scenario, the United States would seek guarantees from the international community to hold off on ICC activity in exchange for a Security Council resolution outlining international standards for a final peace agreement between the Israelis and Palestinians.” The resolution would likely be introduced this summer.

Headlines

• Both U.S. and Iranian officials have downplayed the chances of reaching a nuclear agreement this week ahead of an unofficial deadline for a political framework; gaps remain between the parties on the research and development Iran will be allowed to conduct and the lifting of U.N. sanctions.

• Troops and militia loyal to Yemeni President Abdu Rabbu Mansur Hadi surrounded and seized the Aden airport this morning, clashing with Yemeni special forces supporting ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has supported Hadi’s overthrow by the Houthi movement.

• Ten members of a government-affiliated militia were ambushed and killed by Islamic State gunmen southeast of Sirte, Libya.

• The United Arab Emirates has joined Saudi Arabia in recalling its ambassador to Sweden; the dispute began with the Swedish foreign minister criticizing Saudi governance and human rights abuses and has also led to the cancellation of a defense agreement.

• The prosecutor’s office in Kuwait announced it is throwing out a case brought by Sheikh Ahmad Fahad Al Sabah, a member of the ruling family, that accused a former prime minister and speaker of the parliament of plotting a coup.

-J. Dana Stuster

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