Hostages forced to show a black flag with Arabic writing. Yahoo/AP/Channel 7
A hostage situation has erupted in Sydney, Australia with possible links to Islamic extremism. Yahoo/AP. The hostages were taken at a Sydney coffee and chocolate shop called Lindt Chocolat Cafe Hostages were forced to show a flag through the window that had an Islamic saying on it. Hundreds of police have evacuated the area. No injuries have been reported so far. It is unknown what the motivation of the attackers are.
RT is reporting that between 30 and 40 people are being held and that there may be more then on attacker. RT is also reporting that the men are demanding an audience with Australian Prime Minster Tony Abbot. There are also unconfirmed reports of the hostage takers wearing suicide belts. One hostage taker was seen using a hostage as a human shield.
My Comment:
Australia is downplaying the fact that this is almost certainly an attack based on radical Islam. the black flag has been used by Al-Qaeda and ISIS for years. This particular flag seems to be a more generic one, but it fits the profile. It's clear to me at least that this is an Islamic attack.
As for the report from RT, I'm not sure where they are getting their information. I'm guessing their report is more detailed then the AP one because they aren't quite as strict about verifying their sources. I'm guessing that the reports about the hostage takers demands are legit as well as the use of human shields. The report of a suicide belt seems a bit more dubious to me.
The whole situation is terrible though. Given how these situations have played out recently, it would be extremely lucky if everyone makes it out of this ok. Here is hoping that luck prevails. And if it doesn't then Australia is going to have to start asking itself some very hard questions.
I'll keep track of this story as it develops.
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