The Ghriba synagogue bombing by al-Qaeda kills 21 in Tunisia.

The Ghriba synagogue bombing was a terrorist attack that occurred on April 11, 2002, at the Ghriba synagogue in the resort town of Djerba, Tunisia. The attack was carried out by al-Qaeda and resulted in the deaths of 21 people, mostly tourists, and the injury of over 30 others.

The Ghriba synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Africa and is considered a sacred site by the Tunisian Jewish community. The attack took place during the Jewish holiday of Lag BaOmer when many Jewish pilgrims were visiting the synagogue.

The attackers drove a truck filled with explosives into the front of the synagogue, causing a massive explosion that destroyed part of the building and caused damage to nearby homes and businesses. The explosion was heard several kilometers away and left a large crater in the ground.

The victims of the attack included French, German, and Tunisian tourists, as well as members of the local Jewish community. The attack was one of the deadliest terrorist incidents in Tunisia’s history and had a significant impact on the country’s tourism industry.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack and stated that it was carried out in retaliation for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Tunisian government condemned the attack and launched an investigation into the incident. Several suspects were arrested in connection with the attack, including a Tunisian man who was later extradited to France and convicted of providing support to the attackers.

The Ghriba synagogue bombing was a stark reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism in North Africa and the Middle East, and it highlighted the vulnerability of religious and cultural sites to attack. The attack remains a tragic event in Tunisia’s history and a reminder of the need for continued vigilance against terrorism.