Hostages held in Sydney cafe, Islamic flag seen in window: local TV
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SYDNEY (Reuters) - Hostages were being held inside a central Sydney cafe where a black flag with white Arabic writing could be seen in the window, local television showed on Monday, raising fears of an attack linked to Islamic militants.
Australia, which is backing the United States and its escalating action against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, is on high alert for attacks by radicalized Muslims or by home-grown fighters returning from fighting in the Middle East.
Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales (NSW) state parliament, was closed off by armed police.
Live television footage showed patrons inside a cafe standing with their hands pressed against the windows. A black and white flag similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria was also visible.
NSW Police tweeted: "A police operation is underway in Martin Place, Sydney's CBD. People are advised to avoid the area."
Dozens of police including a SWAT team were setting up and a couple of hundred people were being held back by cordons.
Trains and buses were stopped and roads were blocked in the area, with train operators saying there had been a bomb threat at Martin Place.
(Reporting by Lincol
Watch the live stream: http://www.9news.com.au/National/2014/12/15/10/00/Major-police-operation-in-Sydneys-Martin-Place
WATCH LIVE: Police respond as people taken hostage inside cafe in Sydney, Australia
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At least one gunman has taken more than a dozen people hostage at a chocolate shop in Sydney, Australia Monday morning. Police have cordoned off much of the surrounding area.
Live television footage showed at least 13 people inside the café standing with their hands pressed against the glass. Dozens of heavily armed police, including members of a SWAT team, could be seen surrounding the shop with their weapons drawn.
WATCH: Witness describes scene at cafe where hostage situation is underway
The video footage showed people with their hands up against a window, some holding a black flag with white Arabic writing. While the flag appeared at first glance similar to those used by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, it is not the same flag.
This image taken from video shows people holding up hands inside a cafe in Sydney, Australia Monday, Dec. 15, 2014.
(AP Photo/Channel 7 vide AP Video)
“Police are dealing with an armed incident and specialist officers are attempting to make contact those inside a café,” New South Wales Police said in a statement on their official Facebook page.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported a woman raised the initial alarm at about 9:45 a.m. Monday when she saw a man with a gun.
WATCH: Footage shows Australia gunman walking by window with hostage
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said during a press conference that it was unclear if the incident is politically motivated.
“We don’t know whether this is politically motivated, although obviously there are some indications that it could be,” Prime Minister Tony Abbott told reporters in the nation’s capital, Canberra. “We have to appreciate that even in a society such as ours, there are people who would wish to do us harm.”
Abbott said the National Security Committee of Cabinet met to be briefed on the situation.
“The whole point of politically motivated violence is to scare people out of being themselves,” Abbott said. “Australia is a peaceful, open and generous society – nothing should ever change that. And that’s why I would urge all Australians today to go about their business as usual.”
Zain Ali, the head of the Islamic Studies Research Unit at the University of Auckland, told The Associated Press it was difficult to read the message on the banner because part of it was obscured. He believed it was the Shahada, or declaration of faith, because a black flag with white writing in a contemporary context often contains that message.
Ali said the Shahada translates as “There is no deity of worship except God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God.” He said it has been used by groups like al-Qaida and Islamic State but wasn’t invented by them.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent a tweet saying “Canada’s thoughts and prayers are with our Australian friends.
Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird tweeted that his office is watching the unfolding event closely.
IN PHOTOS: Images of the police operation underway in Sydney
Police closed off part of Martin Place – home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales state parliament. Trains and buses in the normally bustling area have also been stopped.
New South Wales police tweeted: “A police operation is underway in Martin Place, Sydney’s CBD. People are advised to avoid the area.”
A police spokeswoman said no injuries had been reported from the incident.
The U.S. consulate issued a statement warning its citizens “of a security incident involving at least one armed person at Lindt Chocolate Café in Martin Place in Sydney. New South Wales and Australian Federal police are addressing the threat. Please avoid the area around Martin Place until further notice.”
*With files from The Associated Press
© Shaw Media, 2014
