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Tatouine, Star Wars town in Tunisia, becomes Isis waypoint Tatouine, Star Wars town in Tunisia, becomes Isis waypoint
(35 minutes later)
Tatouine, the town in Tunisia where George Lucas filmed Star Wars, has become embroiled in the country’s unrest with Isis. Tataouine, the town in Tunisia where George Lucas filmed parts of Star Wars, has become embroiled in the country’s unrest with Isis.
The town’s simple domed structures became iconic after they were used for Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine – die-hard fans often make pilgrimages to visit them. But the town is now increasingly unsafe as it becomes a waypoint for Isis fighters travelling to and from training bases in Libya, 60 miles to the east. The town’s simple domed structures became iconic after they were used for Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine, and die-hard fans often make pilgrimages to them. But the town has become increasingly unsafe, as it is a waypoint for Isis fighters travelling to and from training bases in Libya, 60 miles to the east.
CNN reports that major arms caches have been recently found in the area, one with 20,000 rounds of ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade launchers. CNN reports that major arms caches have been found in the area this month, one of them with 20,000 rounds of ammunition and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
Related: Isis claims responsibility for Tunisia murdersRelated: Isis claims responsibility for Tunisia murders
Tunisia is on edge after two Isis gunmen stormed into the Bardo museum in the capital Tunis on 18 March, shooting 23 people dead before being killed by security forces. The country has massively stepped up military presence in cities, and a buffer zone created around the border to restrict passage to Libya and Algeria. The two gunmen had themselves been trained in the Libyan Isis base of Derna. Tunisia is on edge after two Isis gunmen stormed into the Bardo museum in the capital Tunis on 18 March, shooting 23 people dead before being killed by security forces. The country has massively stepped up military presence in cities, and created a buffer zone around the border to restrict passage to Libya and Algeria. The two gunmen had been trained in the Libyan Isis base of Derna.
That Tatouine has become known as a station for Isis will further harm the tourist trade in Tunisia, already reeling from the Bardo attack. There have however been numerous pledges on social media from people asserting that they will visit the country for holidays to support its economy and culture, using the #JeSuisBardo hashtag. That Tataouine has become known as a station for Isis will further harm the tourist trade in Tunisia, already reeling from the Bardo attack. There have, however, been numerous people pledging on social media that they will visit the country to support its economy and culture, using the #JeSuisBardo hashtag.
JJ Abrams did not return to the country to film his upcoming episode of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens, instead using locations in Ireland, the UK and Abu Dhabi.JJ Abrams did not return to the country to film his upcoming episode of the Star Wars saga, The Force Awakens, instead using locations in Ireland, the UK and Abu Dhabi.