Global Security Alert

(Baonghean) - On Monday, December 15, people around the world began a new week with a series of shocking security news. A series of daring hostage-taking incidents in cities considered safe around the world or the numbers released by Chinese authorities once again made the question of global security more urgent than ever.

Police surround the Lindt cafe in Sydney on December 15. Photo: Reuters/Jason Reed

Australia

On Monday, at 9:45 a.m. local time, an armed man stormed the Lindt Cafe in downtown Sydney and took several customers hostage. According to some local newspapers, there were about 15 customers in the cafe at the time, while police said there were about 30 hostages in the hands of the terrorist. Authorities said that five hostages were successfully rescued.

The attack is believed to be linked to the Islamic State (IS) organization, as two hostages were seen holding a black flag with white Arabic writing (similar to the IS flag) in the cafe window. This action makes people think of a terrorist attack carried out by extremist members of the IS organization. However, the authorities are still very cautious and have not commented on this.

About 40 Muslim groups in Australia have condemned the attack, calling it a “despicable act.” Police have identified the attacker but have not released any further details. Hostage negotiations are currently underway.

Minutes after the kidnapping, media outlets reported the evacuation of the Sydney Opera House, less than 2 km from the scene of the kidnapping. A bag suspected to contain a bomb was found at the scene, but authorities have not commented on it, according to Reuters.

Europe

While people around the world are still reeling from the hostage situation in Australia, another hostage situation has occurred in Belgium. On Monday, four gunmen stormed an apartment in Ghent, in the Flanders region of Belgium, and took a hostage. Police immediately sealed off the area and evacuated residents. Authorities said that “there is no indication that this is a terrorist incident linked to the Islamic State organization or to the ongoing kidnapping in Sydney.” Authorities are currently trying to take every measure to rescue the hostage being held.

Asia

Also on Monday, the Global Times, a newspaper affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, acknowledged that about 300 Chinese extremists are fighting with the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq. Chinese authorities have expressed concern about the rise of the Islamic State in the Middle East and are concerned that it will affect the situation in Xinjiang, a region in western China that is home to a large Muslim community.

Chu Thanh

(According to LeMonde December 15)