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Australia commandos end Sydney cafe siege | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Australian commandos have stormed a cafe in Sydney, ending a 16-hour siege by a gunman identified as an Iranian refugee who took dozens of hostages. | |
Paramedics carrying stretchers raced towards the cafe moments after the commandos moved into the cafe. | |
Several people appear to have been injured while the fate of the gunman is not yet known. | Several people appear to have been injured while the fate of the gunman is not yet known. |
The centre of the city has been in lockdown since the gunman seized the hostages early on Monday morning. | |
Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window. | Early in the siege, hostages were forced to hold up a black Islamic banner at the window. |
The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. | The cafe is located in Martin Place, a busy shopping area in Sydney's financial district. |
Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". | Prime Minister Tony Abbott said it was "profoundly shocking" that people were being "held hostage by an armed person claiming political motivation". |
Army commandos with assault rifles and wearing helmets and body armour could be seen piling into the cafe, tossing stun grenades ahead of them, and apparently opening fire. | |
Hostages ran to safety with their hands in the air. A man and a woman were seen being carried to safety by emergency services. | |
New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 local time (15:44 GMT) in a tweet, promising details later. | New South Wales police announced the end of the siege at 02:44 local time (15:44 GMT) in a tweet, promising details later. |
The commandos who stormed the building were from the Royal Australian Regiment, BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner reports. | |
'Isolated figure' | |
Suspected gunman Man Haron Monis, 49, received political asylum in Australia in 1996 and was on bail facing a number of charges. | |
On a website, now suspended, he describes himself as a Shia Muslim who converted to Sunni Islam. | |
The self-styled cleric was described by his former lawyer as an isolated figure. | |
One of his demands was to have a flag of Islamic State, the Sunni militant group which recently seized territory in Syria and Iraq, to be delivered to the cafe. | |
Martin Place is home to the state premier's office and the headquarters of major banks. | |
In September, Australia - which has sent fighter jets to join the US-led coalition conducting air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq - carried out a big anti-terror raid. | |
One man was charged with plotting to behead a member of the public in Martin Place. | |
In October, the Australian parliament approved new anti-terrorism laws, including a provision designed to stop Australians fighting in overseas conflicts. | |
Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. | Are you in Sydney? Have you witnessed the hostage situation? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk. |
If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. | If you are willing to talk to a BBC journalist, please leave your number. |
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Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here. |
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