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ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack on the museum. In an audio statement, ISIS identified two men. It was said they used automatic weapons and hand grenades to kill and injure. The two attackers were carrying explosives.

In 2011 the number of tourists dropped by a third, by 2013 Tunisia was showing signs of a comeback, with income from tourism. The total contribution of the industry to Tunisia's economy was 15.2 percent of its gross domestic product. With the attack on the museum it was a major setback to the growth and promise of tourism and not just in Tunisia.

Gunmen entered the Tunis museum to take ancient treasures and its tourists hostage. It was a beautiful day filled with tourists from everywhere. Many tourists and locals were killed and injured. Many were just stuck in shock with what was happening and when it was all over. Just when the people thought Tunisia was on the right track some tragic event like this happens and takes the people two steps back on what the government is really doing to protect them. The museum is in a top security place so for these gunmen to get in there with guns and take order scares the people. The prime minister said they may of had help at the security check points they are not for sure but are looking into it. This hurts Tunisia because majority of its economy is based off of beach resorts and foreign visitors.

Following an attack on a museum in Tunisia, they plan to open a consulate in Syria and plan to renew their ties with the Syrian government. They state that this is so that they can track Tunisian militant fighters who have joined ISIS and to prevent them form any future attacks. 

Tunisian security forces arrested 21 individuals suspected of being involved in the deadly attack against the Bardo museum. The 21 suspects belong to two terrorist cells and so far 46 suspects have been arrested. The terrorists cells will be charged of being accomplice in the terrorist case through providing weapons and logistics.

The people of Tunisia responded to the attack on the museum with an anti-terrorism march. The people walked around the streets chanting "'Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!'". Political leaders supported the people on this one. Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi said, "' The Tunisian people proved today that they do not bow to terrorism, and that as one man and one woman, they defend the nation. When Tunisia is targeted, the whole nation stands as one'". The march was to show that they are democratic people, Tunisians are moderate and there is no room for terrorists here. Some leftist political groups chose to boycott the rally because they feel it is a participation of an Islamist party and they are the ones accountable for the rise of Islamic extremism in the country.

Due to the attack on the Bardo museum last month Tunisia plans to re-establish diplomatic ties with Syria in order to track its citizens who have gone to fight alongside Islamist militants. It is said that some 3,000 Tunisian jihadists are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq.

Jabeur Khachnaoui, a terrorist of the attack on the Bardo museum had an older brother who at the same time was attending a rally against terrorism on the other side of town. The two brothers grew up in a family with three other siblings in Tunisia's impoverished southwest. They were close but ended up deeply divided in their outlooks.

Since the attack on the Bardo museum 3,000 holidays cancellations have been reported, reservations have decreased 60 percent. Seven cruise lines have dropped Tunis from their itineraries and some charter airlines flying in Russian, Czech and Polish tourists have already cancelled flights. Tourism is a huge part of Tunisia's economy. Last year tourists topped 6 million, 2010 tourism industry represented 17 percent of GDP.

After the attack on the National Bardo Museum the president of Tunisia has signed several agreements to strengthen economic and security cooperation with France. Essebsi addressed the Senate in the French capital calling for further cooperation in other areas such as the fight against extremism.

In the west-central part of Tunisia, military forces have killed at least nine militants during an operation carried out in the late hours of Saturday in Gafsa region. Military forces also confiscated arms and explosives from the terrorists. Reports say the militants were members of the so-called Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade which is believed to be behind the deadly attack on the Bardo Museum in the capital on March 18.

The war in Syria is costing the lives of many, but theres plenty more that is being lost. Syria is a country that has been continuously inhabited for a very long time. Civilizations have left their marks on the architecture there and there are many great archaeological sites. At the center of Aleppo, lies the great mosque, known for its 1000 year old minaret. The article is about the minaret being lost due to the fighting in the city.

Now that Palmyra has finally been "rescued", there are already talks of restoration. This is good news because of the damage done to the city by ISIS. I'm curious to see if this will bring Russia profit.

The ancient heritage of the Middle East is being seriously damaged by the uprisings, revolutions and foreign occupations (i.e. US in Iraq and its aftermath). I was interviewed about this as it affects Egypt a year ago by a South Korean radio station, on the occasion of the thefts last summer of artifacts from the Malawi Museum...

This exhibition at the Printing Museum in Houston, Texas, examines the development and impact of Arabic graffiti over the past decade through 30 contemporary photographs and accompanying didactic panels.