Terrorist Siege Ends in Australia

A self-styled radical "sheik" held more than a dozen people hostage in a candy shop for roughly 17 hours in Sydney, Australia, before Australian police and security units stormed the shop and apparently killed the hostage-taker.  Police identified the hostage-taker as Iranian immigrant Man Haron Monis, who was facing charges of sexual assault and has a history of making threats against the families of Australian servicemen killed in Afghanistan.  There are preliminary reports that some of the hostages were injured or killed, either by Monis or friendly fire.

Authorities believe Monis was a supporter of ISIS, demanding its flag and to speak with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott while holding the hostages at gunpoint.  Australia has joined the U.S. and other countries in military strikes against ISIS in Iraq.