Australia - Martin Place siege: 2 Hostages killed in Lindt Chocolate shop #1

[Humdinger]

I honestly don't get him wanting an IS flag, if he wanted one why didn't he take one in? I assume those in 'the know' could get one! Seems odd does it not?

Also, do we think TA will talk to him?

 

[sleepinoz]

http://www.mygc.com.au/news/live-sy...ld-hostage-in-suspected-terror-related-siege/

6.00PM AEDT: HOSTAGES inside Sydney’s Lindt Cafe have contacted media agencies with a list of demands as the siege enters it’s eighth hour.

Channel Ten have reportedly made contact with two “hysterical” female hostages inside the cafe who claim the gunman has requested a meeting with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and wants an ISIL flag to be delivered directly to the cafe.

The gunman – who has reportedly referred to himself as “The Brother” – has also reportedly warned of four explosive devices located within the Sydney CBD, two of which are said to be inside the cafe.

A total of five clearly terrified hostages – three men and two woman – were seen running out of the building a little over an hour ago.

It remains unclear how many hostages remain inside.

 

[sleepinoz]

I honestly don't get him wanting an IS flag, if he wanted one why didn't he take one in? I assume those in 'the know' could get one! Seems odd does it not?

Also, do we think TA will talk to him?

BBM Hope not - it would cause more harm than good IMO

 

[sleepinoz]

Dumb Question: Is it ISIS - ISIL or IS ? So many report it differently.

 

[Humdinger]

BBM Hope not - it would cause more harm than good IMO

I agree, it gives the terrorist power and the opportunity for TA to seriously stuff up.

 

[KEVINinTO]

I honestly don't get him wanting an IS flag, if he wanted one why didn't he take one in? I assume those in 'the know' could get one! Seems odd does it not?

Also, do we think TA will talk to him?

Earlier on Ch 7 their security expert said it would be hard to obtain an ISIS flag in Australia which is why he used the generic flag. This suggests that he is a lone wolf responding to ISIS' call for Jihadists to carry out attacks in Australia. We have seen similar low-tech high-impact attacks in Canada and the U.S. in the last few months.

 

[Humdinger]

Dumb Question: Is it ISIS - ISIL or IS ? So many report it differently.

I say IS because ISIS is a girls name and it's been terrible for all the girls across the world to have to endure the grief because of the negative connotations with the name ISIS.

 

[Plumeria5]

Here is a pic of him ...

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-20-people-are-held-by-armed-man-9924641.html

Does he have a headband on? And what is around his mouth? Or am I not seeing it right?

 

[they'll get you]

Reports said that police weren't sure if there were two gunmen. So if police snipers took out the one gunman clearly seen at the window then the other possible gunman could have panicked and shot the remaining hostages.

I'm praying all lives are spared.

Channel7 says it's clear it's amateurish. Martin Place remains in lockdown.

 

[Humdinger]

Earlier on Ch 7 their security expert said it would be hard to obtain an ISIS flag in Australia which is why he used the generic flag. This suggests that he is a lone wolf responding to ISIS' call for Jihadists to carry out attacks in Australia. We have seen similar low-tech high-impact attacks in Canada and the U.S. in the last few months.

Ah thank you! I just figured that there's nothing that you can't buy online if you know where to look!

 

[sleepinoz]

Does he have a headband on? And what is around his mouth? Or am I not seeing it right?

Yes it is a headband with writing on it - no reports of what it says yet. Not sure about the mouth, could just be a reflection on the glass

 

[Trino]

The most frightening thing is the terrorist said he has devices all over the city.

Really, the guy can't last too long on candy. He will need to sleep, too. Seems he didn't plan this too well.

 

[SouthAussie]

Dumb Question: Is it ISIS - ISIL or IS ? So many report it differently.

We call it ISIL for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

USA calls it ISIS for Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria, or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria or the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham.

Whatever you call it, it is belongs to and is IS (Islamic State).

 

[04009margaret]

Not our Tony ... he'll want to shirtfront them all

He wasn't called the mad monk during the Howard government for nothing LOL

 

[enzeder]

Does he have a headband on? And what is around his mouth? Or am I not seeing it right?

White beard I think?.

Image cropped​

https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/544384662765068288/photo/1

 

[Trino]

Truthfully, what does this guy want? A flag? Really? To talk to the PM? About what? The news media isn't saying anything about his third demand. Hmmmmm. If it's to connect with those 72 virgins, he's working on it.

 

[they'll get you]

Channel9 'we have the some of the best police negotiators in the world'.
Police commissioner said 'the main aim is to get all hostages out unharmed' - very sensitive operation, it could go through the night.
Gunman on social media listing difficult demands.
Police won't say how many are inside due to tactical operation.

During this interview I can hear police dogs barking.

Yep it's all Tony Abbotts fault!
Jeez.

 

[Ausgirl]

Police statement: negotiations underway, careful wording "People 'emerged' from building" -- police and state operations centers set up, plus partner agencies, approach is to resolve peacefully, might take time --- their priority safety of hostages, and also people of NSW. Will be working into the night, tomorrow, exclusion zone at Martin place & immediate surrounds, rest of city to go on as usual.

reporter asks re "escape or release" -
Evades comment, talks about safety on remaining hostages

Police have been in contact throughout the day, cannot talk about tactics, world class hostage negotiators on the case -- cannot be engages in any speculation re his wants/motives -- monitoring social media as part of tactical response, appeals for public to call in any info.

Contact will be ongoing, action based on best chance of getting hostages out alive. "We all have to be very careful not to overreact at this time, " due to hostages' safety.

Number of hostages "operational imperative" to not confirm details.

Operation pioneer just a term used for police operations center, protocols to ensure best response. Standing arrangement for best control & command.

"We are in contact and we wil continue and the aim is peaceful resolution"

Qu. about bombs -- says police are focussed on Martin Place.

 

[Plumeria5]

I hear a lot of dogs barking? Police dogs? Please don't let them get hurt.

Did they say if you have business around the city go ahead and carry out your plans. Yikes!

At one point the policeman was pointing the gun right at the camera... Why? I thought the cafe was in the opposite direction.

 

[KEVINinTO]

From Ch 7:

The hostage taker claims to be a member of ISIS (as per social media postings by hostages )