5 hostages escape from Sydney cafe

This is a wake up call to all the left-wing idiots in the country who think this problem isn't a problem. Fools!

Hostage takers have not made any demands other than to say they wish to talk to the PM live on radio. This will not end well and there is police activity all over the entire city not only in the CBD.

The half million Muslims in Australia must be so thrilled by this news.

Jcapan, I understand what you mean. The vast majority of Muslims simply want to get on with their lives, but it only takes a few maniacs to turn a majority against a minority. Things will be nasty for law-abiding Australian Muslims for quite a while, I suppose.

I hope this serves as a wake-up call for Islamic communities to better police themselves.

This is NOT good, not good for those poor hostages and my guess if these idiot fool Muslim terrorists hurt or end up killing their Australian (White, Christian) hostages, many, many regular Aussies are going to be really angry at the general Muslim population there in Australia and things will only get worse before they get better.

"I hope this serves as a wake-up call for Islamic communities to better police themselves."

They could start by renouncing armed Jihad. But they don't want to do that, do they.

There will be a backlash in Australia after this, make no mistake

'Exactly! If anyone thinks that radical terrorism is only an American tide is very, very sadly mistaken.'

Erm, I think the bombings of transportation in London and Madrid to name but 2 may have made people aware of this.

This is a wake up call to all the left-wing idiots in the country who think this problem isn't a problem.

Interesting use of "left-wing".

For some people, it, along with "socialist" and "communist" seem to mean "people who I happen to disagree with...."

Exactly! If anyone thinks that radical terrorism is only an American tide is very, very sadly mistaken. This is a worldwide crisis and affects all of us.

People seem to forget that the Bali bombings occured in areas that Aussies loved to vacation at. If you look at the map, and see where the major "hot spots" for fighting are going on, you will see they have something in common, a muslim group against the locals (Buddahist/Muslim: Thailand, Burma; Catholic/Muslim: Philippines: Hindu/Muslim: India & Pakistan). In these places though they may be aligned with the USA, they don't fully endorse our policies and yet they are attacked.

I hope this is resolved peacefully, and the dirtbag (whatever his religious beliefs) is held accountable.

Strangerland, letting logic come into the argument is a dangerous move. Who knows where that might lead...

On saying that, I think the police in Sydney are doing a great job keeping everything calm and giving the hostages the best possible chance of survival. Calls for snipers and such are a last resort (though some more trigger happy folk here certainly want it to be first). The guy clearly has a political agenda. He wants to talk to the PM and wants a ISIS flag. With luck, the police will be able to talk him out, and if not, then they can deal with him with whatever force is necessary. If this guy thinks he is doing his cause a justice, all he is doing is hardening the average Australian's hearts against everything he stands for.

@Elbuda Mexicano

Australians (white, christian)?? Do you not see the photo with the asian woman? Australia is a multicultural country, we are not all white and christian.

A lot of strawmen in the comments. No one thinks radical Islam is not a problem, nor does anyone think that it's only a problem in America.

Sadly, many do and by many of the previous comments over the last few years on this site would make someone think otherwise.

The issue some of us have is the response to the problem by certain countries, and individuals. Torturing individuals and invading innocent countries to deal with the problem is not a proper response.

That is your opinion, I think every country should deal with radical terrorism the way they want and how they want. If people don't like it, so what.

Declaring all of Islam to be evil is not a proper response. The only way we'll ever solve these problems is to work with the Muslim community to deal with it (and even then, it will likely never be entirely eradicated). After all, the Muslim community is the one that deals with the brunt of the terrorist attacks

And why is that? For the radicals, the ball is in their court, if they want to have war, then there will be a war, if they want peace, there will be peace. It's up to them to determine how they want to deal with their future.

Non american countries had terrorist attacks for centuries and millennia. 9/12 wasn't even one with the heaviest losses.

You mean 9/11 and for us in the US it WAS the heaviest loss of life in a single day.

Non american countries had terrorist attacks for centuries and millennia. 9/12 wasn't even one with the heaviest losses.

Ok I buy that argument. If that is the case, then the rough treatment of a few persons who still get to keep their heads on their sholders and afterwards will get 3 hots and a cot for an extend period is a lot better than having your head chopped off in a video after you confess to a belief you may not believe in. Yet, people like you think that the USA is some evil empire for doing what it does.

I like to see you call out this person or group for what they are, cowards who will kill and harm innocents. By the way, if you think that you could get away and live under their rule, read the rules they have established in Mosul for the proper upkeep of the slaves of those whom they capture. So much for the socalled "war on women" and the USA not treating people farily when you get down to what this guy believes. I include this guy because if he is flying their flag, he is in with the rest of them. I am sure not all Muslims believe in this, but I can say that this guy and the group he is affiliated with does.

Here's the link: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/13/islamic-sate-hands-out-rules-for-sex-slaves-in-ira/#!

I don't think this guy and his group are mad at some perceived notions of US imperialism in the Middle East. And if so, and this is the way he and his group wants things, then maybe US imperialism is not that bad.

Gosh, having a morning breakfast of buttered raisin-toast and flat-white coffee has become hazardous in a beautiful city like Sydney! I love this city while I was living/working there a decade ago and I hope all the hostages will be freed safely and things will be back to normal. The spirit of the ordinary Sydney-siders will not be easily broken.

The half million Muslims in Australia must be so thrilled by this news.

Lindt chocolate cafe is a target? In Sydney? nowhere is safe anymore........

surely in Oz there is some John McLaine type character who is preparing to take down the hostage taker and free the hostages??

Present up-date can be found here. http://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-australia-30475711

@ThatGuy

No idea what I said wrong. Is it useful to pretend that the overbearing raids in September played no part in this? Or the summary removal of passports? These people might not be liked for their beliefs, but if you mess with them, do you think they won't mess back? Really? Is it wrong to point this out? Cause I promise you, I am not a jihadist or extremist and I won't be perpetrating anything like this, but I promise you, this is not the last and its not happening "just because".

That's a RIDICULOUS argument and you know it. What, so the government is meant to just sit on its hands and let the world go by? Do you have any idea as to what we're dealing with here? Extremists will stop at NOTHING until the entire West converts to Islam. This is what the Quran demands - at least in their eyes. The govt. has been taking countermeasures for years, and needless to say they will only tighten their grip after this farcical incident...

What you speak is not so much as full truth but merely weak excuses and repeated justifications for this so called sheik. Granted, there's a lot that the government could have done differently and not so much as in kicking down so many doors for so few results. I get that, and I don't fully agree with their methods quite a lot. At the same time, citing a failing by someone else as a justification for something like this is completely daft, and monstrous to say to boot. Hiding behind the sins of another and pointing fingers doesn't make you as smart, or smug, or even justified in your sanctimonius behavior over these deaths, as these people were just doing their daily thing. But after reading your past post history, I'm not surprised in your snide self-serving manner to be honest. Disagreeing over what happened and what was done by the government of the day, that's fine and is totally valid. Using that as an "excuse" and alluding to say that these people "deserved it" which is what you've been pointing to, is utterly revolting.

Just stay calm do nothing to agitate the assailant. Believe the police have it all under control. Someone tried to be a heroband lost his life and that of another innocent women. After the first shot police had no choice but to storm. Stay calm trust in the Feds and Tactical Response. Some guy had to be a hero.

Live coverage here: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-30474089

Damn, attacking my hometown. Just hoping it resolves peacefully.

Readers, please note that the identity and religious affiliation of the hostage-taker are not yet known. Please do not use this thread to spew out anti-Islam rants.

Escapee number up to five now

http://www.news.com.au/national/a-man-is-holding-several-people-hostage-at-martin-place-cafe/story-fncynjr2-1227156241649:

Scott I think the guy has a bomb reason why they arnt in a hurry to use a sniper fearing killing him will explode the bomb, other places around Sydney are also suspected of having had suspicious packages being found.

If it ends up with 1 dead terrorist then it will have ended well.

This is a wake up call to all the left-wing idiots in the country who think this problem isn't a problem. Fools!

Exactly! If anyone thinks that radical terrorism is only an American tide is very, very sadly mistaken. This is a worldwide crisis and affects all of us. This is not to say all Muslims are like this, but the radical nut jobs are what give the religion a bad name. But it seems like from the news update that the hostages escaped, if so, great news. No one got hurt. Now I hope they get these guys and they get very long prison sentences.

bass4funk

This is a wake up call to all the left-wing idiots in the country who think this problem isn't a problem. Fools!

Exactly! If anyone thinks that radical terrorism is only an American tide is very, very sadly mistaken. This is a worldwide crisis and affects all of us. This is not to say all Muslims are like this, but the radical nut jobs are what give the religion a bad name. But it seems like from the news update that the hostages escaped, if so, great news. No one got hurt. Now I hope they get these guys and they get very long prison sentences.

Bass I hope they don't capture this guy and he spends a long prison sentence, I hope they shoot this guy so tax payers don't have to pay for his life time behind bars.

I wonder what happens when the hostage-taker has to go to the toilet. Surely he has to put his gun down. You'd think that would be a good chance to throw a table or chair at him or just flee. I suppose that only happens in the movies.

News is just coming in from Sydney - the terrorist is a 49-year-old Iranian sheik, well known to police. He was on bail for attempted murder, has a record of sexual assault - as well as convictions for sending death threats to families of deceased Aussie soldiers. Nasty piece of work - what a way to thank Australia for taking him as a refugee 18 years back.

We hope and pray for the safety of the poor, innocent hostages.

why can't idiots like these just kill themselves instead of killing innocent people. and innocent people are getting killed for no reason, just because of these selfish people. like this man. I hope this siege ends well.

This is NOT good, not good for those poor hostages and my guess if these idiot fool Muslim terrorists hurt or end up killing their Australian (White, Christian) hostages, many, many regular Aussies are going to be really angry at the general Muslim population there in Australia and things will only get worse before they get better.

judging by the pic, she looks more like asian-australian.

The Police have been allowed to reveal that terrorist name and his history. His name is Man Haron Monis, self style Muslim Cleric with extremist view. He came to Australia from Iran in 1996 and seek refugee in Australia.

In 2009, Monis was charged with sending harassing and abusive hate letters to the families of Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan. He was sentenced to community service with two years good behavior bond.

2013, he was charged with organizing his ex wife murder she was stabbed and set alight in her apartment.

Also Monis was arrested and charged with 40 sexually and indecently assaulting to young woman in spiritual healing section in his consultant March, 2014.

Monis was convicted criminal. I believe Special force will raid before dawn. They are trained to do that kind of job and I trust they will save all hostages without damage except Muslim terrorist Man Haron Monis.

I pray for all hostages free without any injury.

It's finally over and sadly not all is well.

http://mobile.news.com.au/national/martin-place-cafe-siege-police-storm-cafe-and-kill-gunman-sheik-man-haron-monis-report/story-fncynjr2-1227156241649

That Guy, as I'm living in Sydney and watched the events unfold here and worried like hell for friends and family over the last day, your comments are extremely offensive to me. You would have our government (even though I really detest Tony Abbott) take sympathy and literally bend over backwards for someone who had an extremely long rap sheet before any other considerations were taken into account. This person, and I use the term extremely reluctantly, was a habitual criminal and used all sorts of sordid excuses to justify his sick actions. What kind of sick person sends insulting messages to the families of dead soldiers.... seriously. Even worse was that he was taken in as a refugee who FLED an Islamic country.

Terrible ending. Hostages panicked and police stormed the building. What a mess.

Yes Tohka though a number of the hostages were saved. My thoughts and prayers to the dead, wounded and their families and friends. Think he was just a loose nut myself and all religions have them.

Yuri I don't think it's anything about religion, as you said he's clearly a nutter. I do resent any comments that try to insinuate that "we deserved it" and that's what an earlier comment was pointing to.

Your advice is the definition of appeasement, That Guy. Kick in 1000 doors, Australia will still be better than the hostage takers of the world.

Tohka, ah when did I make those remarks? I am rather confused at best. Am very sad for the loss of life including the mentally disturbed hostage taker. When have I ever written about Australia "deserving it"? As for the others do not want to live in a police state! peace be with you and my apologies for offending you.

Sorry Yuri, wasn't you. Was meaning to refer to someone else.

Anytime terrorist do this, its only going to end in 1 way...The way i said it would 5 + hours before it ended.

Did he ask for a ISIS flag?.....YES. So what does that mean?

They had a clear shot many times, and had witness saying what they seen him holding / had on him from "inside there".

3 hours into it, i said they should add remote bees, moths, fly's, into their arsenal.... Along with a jamming device. That was less then 10 min after hearing about what was going on 2.

They could of flown that bee or fly in there and looked at everything going on.......Even landed on the device "if there was 1" in there. So the sniper could of killed him the second they new.

I take it they didn't shoot him because they thought he had explosives rigged up....Or on him. If so the snipers could tell by looking at him. A jamming device will jam electronics / trigger .If it was manual .....A shot in the head would of stopped that anyway. If he was holding down on the trigger...NO.

Not 2 sure why they didn't shoot him. I take it they didn't have eye's in there like them remote bees can do, so that must be why. They clearly don't have jamming devices 2.

They need a up grade to match this terrorist threat.

At the end of the day the people fleeing out at different parts of the terrorist attack......would of known what he had.

Yes i said terrorist attack. The ISIS said to lone wolf people to stage these attacks, and did he ask for there flag? Yes it 100% was a terrorist attack.

@StormR Yep would use jamming devices 2. The only way it can go off after a jamming device is used.........would be electronically hooked up. All they have 2 do is look at his hands and see if he is holding down on the detonator...If not bag kill him.

We have micro bees that fly. They could get a micro, fly or bee flying in there. Personally, I would use a bee and sting his ass with something toxic. Well, something that makes him go to sleep almost instantly.

That could be done. There is know way he would think "initially" it was that. Really they can get eyes in there and even land on the thing.

Brainiac:

" I wonder what happens when the hostage-taker has to go to the toilet. "

Are you sure there is only one? I would doubt that very much.

The Iranian terrorists name has been revealed as Haron Monis...

Lolypop:

" why can't idiots like these just kill themselves instead of killing innocent people. "

They are not idiots, they are fanatics. And "innocent" is a relative term. For the Jihadis, we are not "innocent", because we are disbelievers.

From Wiki:

"Haron was born Manteghi Bourjerdi[citation needed] in Iran where, as an ayatollah, his liberal interpretation of Islam led to the detention of his wife and children. Bourjerdi fled Iran to Australia in 1996 as a refugee, and changed his name to Man Haron Monis, assuming the title of Sheikh Haron."

Note that in Iran, he was considered too liberal. I hope Australia won´t find out what an Ayatollha who is too fundamentalist is like....

You can't even have a cup of coffee anymore in peace. A siege mentality is fast developing in some big cities around the world. You don't dare go out anywhere you might be targeted.

Non american countries had terrorist attacks for centuries and millennia. 9/12 wasn't even one with the heaviest losses.

I grew up with many PLO attacks in my hometown and we live far from Israel/Palestine.

I hope this ends soon with minimal loss of life.

Murky pix, but he looks just like a Sydney biker gang member.

OzKen:

" This is a wake up call to all the left-wing idiots in the country who think this problem isn't a problem. Fools! "

So do you really think they wake up now? How many wake-up calls have they missed already? Good luck with that hope...

The foaming at the mouth Daily Telegraph crowd will be loving this...

The first comment is well said. This is not going to end well.

If i was Tony Abbott i wouldn't be going live on radio unless there going to move in "distract him" or get him into position to kill him. He will kill them them hostages live on radio "saying" its your fault Tony bang bang.

Stun Bombs knock them all down.....Then they take him out.

1 thing i don't expect is no one to be killed. I would say this is going to end with people dying unless they take out the gunmen "snipers".

@Strangerland

Torturing individuals and invading innocent countries to deal with the problem is not a proper response.

I agree. I don't like China and Russia very much either.

I doubt this might have been a false-flag. Anyone thinks so?

your comments are extremely offensive to me.

The truth sucks. Its hardly my fault.

I never said the government should have done nothing, but taking away passports is over the top. So is kicking in the doors of 25 houses only to charge two people in the end. You should be offended at the Aussie government. I am not going to say this particular loon was otherwise harmless, but the Aussie government sure went out of its way to give him an excuse.

If you want so desperately to stop Aussie citizens going to Syria to fight with ISIS, this is the price that will be paid. Its a fact that was obvious months ago. Another fact that is obvious now is that in response the people of Australia will clamor for more of their rights to be thrown under the bus in the name of security, but then they just won't have rights nor security.

The Aussie government is not going to successfully strong arm this problem away. I predict more of the same, and more of the same faulty response to it. Down the rabbit hole we go, and its not because I wanted this. I am just the messenger, drawing ire as usual just for warning you.

Extremists will stop at NOTHING until the entire West converts to Islam. This is what the Quran demands - at least in their eyes.

Oh give me a break! Lighten up with the panic attack! Everybody wants to rule the world and far more Aussies die from traffic accidents every year.

Australia was not on anybody's list until the Aussie government put it there. And all the nuts itching for action would exit Australia if their passports weren't revoked.

And it really does not help matters when the government invades 25 homes to only end up charging two people! You can't go kicking in doors with impunity and not expect a response!

Why is an explanation viewed as justification?

I never cheered for the guy, or hoped for more attacks. I just explained why this is happening.

Looking at other sources, this cafe is located in an area not too far from the US Embassy. So the embassy has been cleared. I guess they really (hostage takers) have gotten upset over the CIA torture report (not!!). I am sure that after this event, the hand ringing will begin and they will place it not on the lacf of intelligence, but on the fact that the US caused this with the release of a report from incidents 10 years ago.

I hope this ends with the people being released and the scumbag captured alive, but if he is indeed flying the flag as they are saying, I doubt that it will end peacefully.

The cafe is located in Martin Place, a plaza in the heart of the city’s financial and shopping district that is packed with holiday shoppers this time of year.

Whenever I visited Sydney, I love having big breakfast in this busiest food court in the morning. Many office workers rushed to buy their food before starting the work. In my widest dream, I have never seen about that breakfast paradise will become the nightmare for innocent residents and near by office workers.

Hopefully no one will get the harm and trauma.

Abbott said the National Security Committee of Cabinet met to be briefed on the situation.

Australia is the peaceful and quiet nation like Switzerland before. Since Howard and Abbot became PM, it has become like 55 states of USA. If there is the worst case scenario, Mr Abbot has the blood in his hand. I wish Australia should be independent nation like Switzerland which have no alliance. Being the faithful disciple to the powerful friend has unwanted risks.

No idea what I said wrong. Is it useful to pretend that the overbearing raids in September played no part in this? Or the summary removal of passports? These people might not be liked for their beliefs, but if you mess with them, do you think they won't mess back? Really? Is it wrong to point this out? Cause I promise you, I am not a jihadist or extremist and I won't be perpetrating anything like this, but I promise you, this is not the last and its not happening "just because".

A lot of strawmen in the comments. No one thinks radical Islam is not a problem, nor does anyone think that it's only a problem in America. The issue some of us have is the response to the problem by certain countries, and individuals. Torturing individuals and invading innocent countries to deal with the problem is not a proper response. Declaring all of Islam to be evil is not a proper response. The only way we'll ever solve these problems is to work with the Muslim community to deal with it (and even then, it will likely never be entirely eradicated). After all, the Muslim community is the one that deals with the brunt of the terrorist attacks.

We're these recruits from that JV league terrorists Obama discussed 10 months ago. Or the Al-Qaida that's was running on their heels of two years ago?

Seems US intelligence hasn't been very effective the last couple years.