The Tunisian town that inspired the name of Luke Skywalker's home planet has become the focal point of that country's fight against ISIS.
Reported jihadist activity in several Tunisian locations, including Tataouine, the remote community whose name George Lucas used for the desert planet Tatooine, has also prompted warnings from the U.S. and British governments for tourists to stay away, CNN reported.
"Star Wars" fans have been known to visit sites in Tunisia that have become settings for several of the "Star Wars" films.
Tataouine has become a way-station for terrorists looking to enter Libya to join ISIS, CNN reported.
Tourists snap photos in front of the abandoned desert set used in the filming of Star Wars movies in Tunisia. (Jason George/Chicago Tribune/MCT) ( Jason George )
Two arms caches were found in the area this month, including one that contained rocket-propelled grenade launchers and more than 20,000 rounds of ammunition.
Tataouine itself wasn't used as a location in any of the "Star Wars" films, but it's near other sites that served as the quarters in "Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace," including the home of young Anakin Skywalker and his mother, Shmi, according to StarWars.com.
Last week, terrorists attacked the National Bardo Museum in the nation's capital of Tunis, killing 23 and leaving many others wounded.
ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which was carried out by men later identified as Tunisians who had trained in Libya.
Tunisians say their democracy is young and vulnerable, and their country is at a crossroads in trying to fend off the jihadist "contagion" that is sweeping across North Africa, CNN reported.
Martha Ross provides celebrity commentary for the Bay Area News Group. Follow her at http://ift.tt/1o77FKd.