Hostages were made to raise a Shahada flag belonging to the extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra, which is fighting the Assad government in Syria.
Five hostages have escaped.
The cafe is located in Martin Place considered the ceremonial heart of Sydney. The Cenotaph memorial is a few blocks down the street, the U.S. Consulate is located between them. U.S. personnel are instructed to evacuate the consulate and U.S. citizens in Sydney have been warned to be aware of their surrounding, to be on guard for potential threats. The area is in lockdown, Martin Place shut, traffic rerouted, planes diverted away from the city center.
The situation is presently in siege mode. Police are attempting to wear down the hostage taker(s).
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Several photos at Daily Mail.
More information at P.J. Media, Richard Fernandez.
