More than a dozen hostages are being held inside a central Sydney, Australia 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 an estimated 13 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.”
Part of Martin Place, home to the Reserve Bank of Australia, commercial banks and close to the New South Wales state parliament, has been closed off by armed police.
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.
An Australian Broadcasting Corporation reporter said gunfire had been heard at the scene, the BBC reported, but this has not been confirmed. Major landmarks in the city such as the Sydney Opera House have been evacuated.
More to come
Source:: http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hostages-being-held-in-sydney-australia-cafe-1.2873068?cmp=rss
