scar on the landscape. will it? >> an america tonight special report: "mining sacred lands". tonight, 10:00 eastern. only on al jazeera america. oa. >> as isil says that left 23 dead. >> in libya the human toll being felt as the fight intensified against isil in the country's northwest.

and villages and former rebels team up to save the sacred trees from the booming trade in illegal logging. at least 13 people have been killed. forces loyal took control of the international airport in aidan and the south from fightingers who support the former president alley abdullah saleh. nearby con pound where president hattie was staying the palace was bombed by fighter jets. this is just a month after he fled house arrest, and attempted to threing again. in many ways this is a battle

between two rival groups but between two men. >> forces loyal to president hattie retake the airport from special forces loyal to the former yemen president. it was a short but tough battle lasting four hours. with passenger planes within range of the bullets they had refused to give up their arms and fortify themselves and than retake the airport. the fighting got so intense, that it was shut down and they are taken baaing to the terminal. forces loyal then defeated them and surrounded them. the chief of the post says more violence like this inevitable. >> it is expected that the houthies are now in control of the north, they now want to make sure that the clashes of fights are happening in aidan rather. so they are taking the fight directly. >> later on thursday, an unidentified war plane hit the base.

and according to his aid he unharmed. he fled last month. he insists he remain the legitimate leader. who has declared the temporary temple. al jazeera. >> jamal, emreason there say it was unidentified aircraft that hit the presidential compound in aidan. our contacts have being telling us they are convinced it was from the air force so the question is if there are member oz if military who are on side of hattie, the if we are seeing members of the air force attacking is the military absolutely split between sala on the one hand, former president and the current president?

very much so, when we where are reported the news that were set up by his supporters, that were able to retake the airport, the reason why they were set up is because as you point out the army is split up. the rebels are split up, will it's on tribal grounds or political grounds between -- or even on ethnic religious grounds based on the houthiss and their shia convictions compared to the sunni majority. this' what has been at the center of the struggle. that has yet to be a unified figure who is able to bring about all these different factions not to mention the split geographically between the southern separatists in

other cities and those in the north, and that's what makes the problem so complicated at the moment, david. >> what does it say about the houthies approach to trying to control yemen as a whole? that they have decided now? to move the fight down south where president hati is trying to establish his power base? what they trying to do? >> well, they want to establish that they are very much in control of the country. the fact that they were able to escape house arrest, so easily was a huge blow to their authority because he was their key prisoner. the fact that according to many reports those guarding him were essentially bribed to allow him to flee and for him to set up a de facto capitol and meet with foreign diplomates, meet with political figures and even try and resume meetings of his cabinet. was a huge blow to their authority. so them taking that battle to them, they want to she that there isn't going to be any

sort of stability, and that they are the one whose are in control. and obviously in the midst of both sides there is the former president that has throughout the past three years acting in a way to try to also assert his authority, many believing that he is trying to do that to pave the way for his son to take power as well. thank you we will leave it there for now. the islamic state of iraq says it was behind the deadly attack on a museum. 23 people including the two gunman were killed on wednesday. when the national museum was stormed. nine people have been arrested in connection with that attack. this was the scene the tunis.

a short time ago a vigil being held outside the museum. flowers are being layed down, and local people carrying flags denouncing what they called an act of terrorism. >> politicians are talking about a new anti-terror law which was actually under discussion when the attack happens in p the next door museum. a draft of the bill was originally presented in january, of last year, containing a brad definition of terrorism including nonviolent acts such as vandalism. other measures including free healthcare and judicial assistance were also features in the bill. a design of terror prevention program. including better education. they pull out of port, leading behind tunis and the horror of the day before. this also leads behind the

passengers. >> a grim ending to a mediterranean holiday. some of the victims weren't carry the passports so they haven't been identified yet. more than 40 people were injured some of them have been talking about their experience. who onlies one of thele radios suddenly my daughter and i started to hear shots and everyone started to run. people started to try and save themselves trying to hind behind windows and in the corners. >> two gunman were killed when security forces stormed the museum to end the siege. but it is believed they had accomplices. police say they have arrested nine people so far. four of whom they believe was directly involved in the attack. we will be putting in place check points that will be manned and supervised by the

national army. they will intensify their controls across the nation p p joint patrols between both the army and security personnel will also be conducted. the museum will remain closed when it reopens it can expect fewer visitor as number of companies say they are removing tune these yeah from their list of destinations. so far it's been spread much of the violence. mow the parliament is looking to fast track new anti-terror laws and the president has promised to fight mercilessly those behind wednesday's attack. >> the first of the victims is layed to rest. the police officer who died guarding the museum. it is also aware that it can

no locker remain on the sidelines on what has become known as the war on terror. >> the spokesperson for the party. good to have you with us, jackie said there it had been held up as the success story of the arab spring, does this attack do these deaths mean we have to re-evaluate that. >> these attacks are indeed horrifying and we are shocked and horrified by them, and condemn them in the strongest terms. but tunisia has come under repeated attacks over the last few years. in attempt today divide us, to derail our revolution, and to prevent our demonstration from succeeded. however, we have overcome these attempts thanks to the

unity to the responsibility and sense of compromise, and consensus seeking demonstrated by the political leaders. and it is true our unity in standing against this terrible problem of terrorism that we are facing that we can defeat it. the tourist dollar, how would you persuade me that i should still come to your country for a holiday? >> . >> as i said, does kneian's transition has not been easy, although compared to the rest of the transitions it has been remarkable success. we are very proud in the progress we have made and the whole world has been inspired

by it, and yes it has still a long ways to go but we are determined to succeed in continue on this journey towards democracy we believe that tunisia deserves the world support. >> how do you convince me i would be safe if i came there. >> terror similar not a local problem, that is regional problem. it is a global problem. from which sadly democracy, as well as countries going through transitions are suffering. the prime minister, the government the armed forces all political parties and civil society organizations that all are united against terrorism, and they are doing a great job trying to defeat it. and tunisia will remain a beacon for democracy and we

hope will continue to receive support. >> wish you the very best of luck talking to us, thank you. >> libya's tripoli based government says an air strike is targeted in the tiga airport, the explosion delaying a delegation from taking off against morocco where u.n. peaduated negotiations are supposed to be taking place. a new batn't front has emerged. we have seen fierce fighting from isil on the one hand, and what is known as the libya dawn military coalition. in mourning the libyan city which for weeks was under siege by cad daffy forces is now on the front line in the battle against fighters affiliated to the islamic state of iraq, and the levant. these men were ambushed early

on wednesday they were taken by surprise while on watch they were attacked at about 3:00 in the morning the response from young fighters and forces came strong. they have been more on spence than taking on it sill linked fighters. the decision to send troops to surrounding areas was the first time a local force declared war on libya's branch of isil. >> the true fact is this city is not accustom to calamities and pains. but all these sacrifices are for libya for fighting terror, and terrorist along with ream innocence of the former regime, in order to bring the revolution to it's true right course, and achieve it's goals and to renew libya free of problems. >> isil also lost men in the

fighting officials are trying to identify these bodies, some are believed to be nonlibyan. but some libyan officials believe many of those who joined isil are gaddafi loyalist who have never accepted the new rulers of libya. >> isil linked groups control important buildings and former libyan leader hometown of setter. and the armed groups influence extents further east to the oil rich region. libya dawn fighters say they are planning a major offensive but addressing the isil threat may not be easy. it has that has targeted the libya dawn fighters inside the city. al jazeera. >> stay with us if you can here on al jazeera. tough and intense, the u.s. secretary of state's evaluation of nuclear talks with iran we are live.

and why friday solar eclipse can leave countries that depend on the power of the sun in the dark.

>> next on "the stream". >> the annual south by southwest festival has been a breeding ground for some of the biggest tech innovations in the world. we'll take you there, giving you a glimpse into the future. >> "the stream". coming up next. only on al jazeera america.

nine people have been arrested in connection with the assault in which 23 people died. libya's tripoli based government says an air strike is targeted the airport delaying a delegation from taking off to go to peace talks in morocco. >> u.s. and irhinian diplomates are meeting in switzerland, this is the fourth day of talks they have been having about iran's nuclear program. well john kerry and his opposite number, mohamed disa reef has hoped to set up some sort of a deal by next week. mr. considerry has described the talks as tough and intense, one of the news agencies that the discussions may have to be extended. our diplomatic editor joins us live -- all depends on who you believe, doesn't it? the iranians say 90% there

kerry saying we are getting somewhere, but this unnamed european diplomate saying i ain't going to work. >> absolutely, david. they are trying very hard, certainly, there have been talks all day various configuration as lot of different people here, seven delegations in total, of course, the main players are the u.s., and the iranians about 15 minutes ago they started another round of negotiations with the u.s. secretary of state and the iranian counter part in that meeting that's taking place. they, in their public pronouncements which have been very limit have had been quite positive, they say it is tough, but they say they are making progress. as you say from the a european side, not such a positive assessment. suggesting that even this deadline, the frame work deal deadline, the end of the month, might have to be moved now i think this is interesting because if you go all the way back, to november 2013, when we have

the interim deal, just before that interim deal was finally signed it was the french who had a problem. we are hearing again that along the international community, the french have the toughest line, they are concerned about iran's future research and development on nuclear technology. and also, they want a longer time line for any deal if it is signed. the u.s. are working we believe on the basis of a ten year deal under which iran would be under scrutiny and inspection. france we are told wants 15, maybe as much as 25 years. we have nothing definitive from those talks what happens if nothing is agreed by the end of this month? particularly in the united states? and this is this research that is a sticking point, whether they would be able to carry out looking into how best to develop their sense refugees for nuclear use.

>> well, if there is no deal, they will have no alternative then trying to extend the deadlines but they know the critics of this whole negotiation are circles. they are louder and louder. in israel, and there are many other voices particularly in the gulf along the gulf countries and other whose are opposed to this deal so that's what happens. >> the research and development one of the sticking points i think the other one is how you rev move those sanctions. again the sanctions relief, because even once. >> james, thank you. >> james bays in switzerland for us there. well, in an interview with the u.s. network.

said he hasn't changed his policy on a two state solution. final results in israel general election have confirmed that netanyahu's parsy is 30 of 120 seats his main rival -- excuse me the won just 24, netanyahu now expected to ask far right parties to join him in making a coalition. just before the election, he said he wouldn't permit a palestinian state to be established at all if he were re-elected. they are thought to have been killed by the arm group last week. they have a random military base, they cannot independently identify this video. well, the united nations say

they may have committed again side, and may have committed war crimes against civilians including children. asks the international criminal court to prosecute those responsible. the report also alleged security forces and afavorited militia may have committed some war crimes. among those killing torture and absuction. russia's involvement will be high on the agenda, also greece. it will be a major talking point to the country's prime minister. a meeting with the german chancellor and the french president as well as the leaders of the european union. and e.c.b., the central bank. >> there's going to be a solar eclipse on friday, it will undoubtly throw millions not

just the amateur astronomers looking up, it is also likely to pose a challenge to country which is rely on solar power. what happens when the sun goes out. >> europe generates 100 times more energy from the sun than it did during the last solar eclipse. many of them small and feeding into the power grid from individual homes. this specialist in green energy points out that black solar panels in a university building. he studied the possible of this year's effects and says for one, cloudy weather is not the problem. >> with sunny day over whole of germany so then during the morning we have -- the cells start to use electricity and then we have more or less a drop of about 11-watts 11 power stages.

and then the eclipse is over, the electricity goes up, in the range of 18-watts or 18 convention until power stations and. >> the people who run germany's energy grid have a back up plan. wind energy, for one and even polluting brown coal for mines like this one, in the eastern part of the country. >> the eclipse could have effected reaching across can europe, with solar power production dropping by up to 35,000 megawatts in the space of two hours. that's the equivalent of 80 medium sized power production plants like this one suddenly going off line, at the beginning of a otherwise ordinary working day. the total solar eclipse where the moon passing between the earth and sun will only be visible in the pharaoh islands in the the arctic. the light will dim across europe, and this will be the first time in eclipse has had a significant effect on a power system.

the chancellor ordered an exit and a switch to 80% renewables in 15 years. but think tanks advising the government say the eclipse will be closely watched wherever solar power installations are being built. >> we have seen in dubai that this is now being built, we see it in the u.s., in california, we see it everywhere coming, so we all around the world need to have a close look on how do we manage the system with a lot of solar. and this is maybe a stress test of that system. the energy network says they are confident the system will be able to handle the challenge, and it may provide lessons on how to deal with cloudy weather and massive production drops in years ahead. as solar energy wins more converts. al jazeera, berlin. >> former rebels have

emthatted up to protect their forests from illegal logging? 200-year-old tree, cut down, in less than an hour. this was a sacred forest to the people here. one that their ancestors projected. and it is a symbol of time, of ancestry, and identity. a dead tree is a bad omen. >> it breaks milter. many encannot live without nature. >> it is illegal to cut them down unless you have a government permit. but no one is here to protect the law. and government that was brokers to years ago but tensions remain high. it is difficult to know who is in charge, deep in the forest. he believes he was removed from his postbecause he

exposed a black market operation. that involved traders european ships asian businessman and the state. all of this wood comes from senegal, i would like to denounce the ships carrying timber to asia, they know this is illegal, yet they continue to do it, it is a huge network, in which european and asian traders profit the damage is too obvious to ignore. >> an unlikely alliance of local villagers and form rebels that fought this army are joining forces to protect this land. >> the patrol, watch and replant the forest.

pharmaing is their way to tackle the illegal trade. the project is small but the ambition is big. nicholas heart, al jazeera. festival, it is the largest gathering of aspiring film makers and emerging ini have tars. we are bringing you some of the best. neuroscientists are treating disease in ways they have seen nothing short of science fiction, and i catch up with one of the world's leaders