Bardo Museum Attack-Analysis

Bardo IncidentReview

Monday, March 23, 2015

Part 1: The Attack...

Wednesday, March 18th

Several militants opened fire on a bus of tourists stationed

outside the museum.

Several hundred people inside the museum

2-5 assailants entered

the Bardo Museum

Most evacuated; dozens remained trapped inside...

The attack resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people, including 20

foreign tourists and 3 Tunisians.

Victims nationalities include: Italian, French, Poland, Japanese,

Colombian, Australian, and Spanish

Incident Reaction Although there were many shortcomings with the museum security setup, the police came quickly and secured the location 3 hours...

Part 2: After Action...March 19th: A statement released via a prominent Islamic State account claiming the attack was carried out by the “Caliphate”...

(UPDATE: March 21st: ISIS claimed responsibility for attack.)

Arrests (ongoing…)March 19th: Security forces arrested 9 individuals in connection with the attack.

Immediate Impact... March 19th: 2 Italian-based cruise ship companies suspended their operations to Tunisia (Impact on Tourism) + Heighten Security Presence throughout the country...

Part 3: Assessment

Bardo attack; most significant militant operation to date in Tunisia...

ISIS or not….The threat of attacks in Tunisia is

heightened+

The incident may indicate a change of tactics from high profile to soft targets...

Part 5: Challenges Ahead

Tunisian returning “fighters”...

Part 6: Perspective“The positive side of this tragedy is that it has awakened a sense of solidarity with Tunisia in its struggle to ensure that it avoids anything like the fate of its Libyan neighbour.”-ICG Ayari

Government response...Public spaces and tourist destinations may receive more security protection...

National Unity Most Tunisians are dismayed and have publicly displayed their unity against terrorism...

Moving Forward...

OSAC Discussion Key Points

Increase Security● Notable increase in security at Airport +

Carrefour (shopping center).● Group general consensus is that the threat

has shifted to “foreigners” and we need to exercise a higher level of awareness.

OSAC Discussion

Key points continue...

Advice for Expats:● No travel restrictions issued by US or UK

embassies.● Standard advice (avoid large crowds..etc.)

(See UK embassy map on next slide…)

OSAC-Tunis...moving forward

● Remember to use the Google Group to share information, start discussions, check facts...etc. (Email security@acst.net if you don’t have access Google Group)

● Next regular OSAC-Tunis Meeting on 23 April.

OSAC-Tunis For more information feel free to contact

David Santiago:

email: security@acst.net Twitter: @DavidSecurity