--- description: Tourism officials say the sets are unaffected by ISIS attacks title: 'Star Wars' Landmarks Safe From ISIS, Tunisian Officials Say image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd8bbbde525c7666e/6987859035ba6f803cc07c54/star-wars-tozeur.jpeg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [World](/section/world/) ## World Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [Tunisia](/tag/tunisia/) ## Tunisia Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # _Star Wars_ Landmarks Safe From ISIS, Tunisian Officials Say by [Sarah Begley](/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 27, 2015 2:41 PM CUT  A picture taken on May 2, 2014 shows, amidst desert sand, a film set where numerous Star Wars scenes were filmed in Ong Jmel, in southern Tunisia. A picture taken on May 2, 2014 shows, amidst desert sand, a film set where numerous Star Wars scenes were filmed in Ong Jmel, in southern Tunisia.Fethi Belaid—AFP/Getty Images by [Sarah Begley](/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Mar 27, 2015 2:41 PM CUT Tourism officials in Tunisia say that landmarks made famous in the original _Star Wars_ movie are[ safe from Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS) militants,](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/tunisia-star-wars-isis%5Fn%5F6946884.html "undefined") despite reports that the town of Tataouine was a “way-station” for ISIS. The initial report by [CNN](http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/23/africa/tunisia-fallout/ "undefined") was “without foundation,” Mohammed Sayem of the Tunisian tourism commission told the AP. The town, known as Luke Skywalker’s home planet of “Tatooine” in _Star Wars_, is actually hundreds of miles away from the primary film shooting locations near Tozeur. Col. Mokhtar Hammami of the National Guard said the area is being patrolled by 1,500 men and that “all is normal, in fact we’ve seen a big influx of foreign tourists and Tunisians.” The Wrap [reports](http://www.thewrap.com/star-wars-sets-in-tunisia-are-safe-from-terrorists-say-tourism-officials/ "undefined") that the desert scenes for the next film, _Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens_, were filmed in Abu Dhabi last year. \[[_AP_](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/tunisia-star-wars-isis%5Fn%5F6946884.html "undefined")\] ### Rare Photos of George Lucas Behind the Scenes of Star Wars  George Lucas and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) on the set of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope in a galaxy far, far away. Lucasfilm  Lucas gives direction to Sir Alec Guinness (Obi-Wan Kenobi) in Episode IV. Lucasfilm  Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Harrison Ford (Han Solo) sit around Lucas on the set of The Empire Strikes Back. Lucasfilm  Lucas with Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca), along with Hamill and Ford on the set of Episode IV. Lucasfilm  Lucas directs Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin) and Carrie Fisher. Lucasfilm  Harrison Ford and Lucas share a moment in Endor on the set of Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm  Lucas on set filming the opening scene of Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. Lucasfilm  Lucas reviews concept art for Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Lucasfilm  Lucas inspects a model pod racer for Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. Lucasfilm  Lucas makes sure that the Death Star is fully armed and operational for Return of the Jedi. Lucasfilm  Lucas holds up Jango Fett's helmet. Lucasfilm  Natalie Portman (Queen Amidala) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) listen to Lucas' directions on the set of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm  Lucas directs a lightsaber battle between Ian McDiarmid (Chancellor Palpatine/Darth Sidious) and Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu) on the set of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm  Lucas sets up camp next to a Bantha on the set of Episode IV. Lucasfilm  Lucas finds the droid he was looking for. 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