There is a current police operation following a gunman entering a small coffee shop in Martin Place in the centre of Sydney.
He is a middle eastern man in his 40'with a gun and backpack. Up to 50 hostages are inside but this is unconfirmed as he won't speak to police.
He then ordered hostages to hold up a Muslim extremist black and white flag.
The media have been pushed back but are speculating about the events.
Clearly a terrorism event but authorities are refusing to label the "T" word saying an offender has taken an undisclosed number of hostages suggesting a political motivation.
He is a middle eastern man in his 40'with a gun and backpack. Up to 50 hostages are inside but this is unconfirmed as he won't speak to police.
He then ordered hostages to hold up a Muslim extremist black and white flag.
The media have been pushed back but are speculating about the events.
Clearly a terrorism event but authorities are refusing to label the "T" word saying an offender has taken an undisclosed number of hostages suggesting a political motivation.