SYDNEY: Australian police on Tuesday said a brutal live-streamed knife attack at a church service in Sydney was a religiously motivated “terrorist” act, as they urged calm from the angered local community.
A prominent bishop was among those being treated for “non-life threatening injuries” after the attack on Monday evening at an Assyrian Christian church in the west of Sydney.
“After consideration of all the material, I declared that it was a terrorist incident,” New South Wales police commissioner Karen Webb told a news conference.
Webb said the attack was deemed an act of religiously motivated “extremism” that intimidated the public — both parishioners at the church and people following the live-streamed service online.
The suspect was “known to the police” but was not on any terrorist watch list, Webb said.
Police responding to the incident soon found themselves under attack by angry people outside the church, she said.
“People used what was available to them in the area, including bricks, concrete, palings, to assault police and throw missiles at police and police equipment and police vehicles.”
Injured officers were taken to hospital overnight, Webb said, without giving figures.
The crowd damaged 20 police vehicles, she added.
“That is unacceptable and those that were involved in that riot can expect a knock at the door. It might not be today. It might not be tomorrow, but we will find you and we will come and arrest you,” Webb said.
Police say Sydney church stabbing a ‘terrorist’ act
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Police say Sydney church stabbing a ‘terrorist’ act
- A prominent bishop was among those being treated for “non-life threatening injuries” after the attack on Monday evening
Jordan’s king, UK’s PM discuss Gaza, regional stability
- King Abdullah urges support for Syria’s efforts to protect its security, stability, sovereignty
- King also meets UK’s chief of defense staff during London visit
LONDON: The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer met King Abdullah II of Jordan to discuss ways to support regional stability in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, Downing Street said on Tuesday.
The meeting was also attended by Crown Prince Hussein and focused on the continuing need to advocate for increased access for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
It also aimed at supporting reforms within the Palestinian Authority to facilitate the ceasefire and help implement the US-led peace plan.
The parties praised the strong relationship between the UK and Jordan, especially in defense cooperation.
The king reaffirmed Jordan’s opposition to Israeli actions aimed at establishing settlements and asserting sovereignty over the occupied West Bank, according to the Jordan News Agency.
He emphasized the importance of implementing the US-backed agreement to end the war in Gaza. He also urged support for the efforts of the Syrian Arab Republic to protect its security, stability, and sovereignty, Petra added.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, the Director of His Majesty’s Office Alaa Batayneh, and Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Manar Dabbas were also present at the meeting.
The king met on Monday in London Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton, the UK’s chief of the defense staff. Their discussion centered on enhancing defense cooperation between Jordan and the UK. Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, the chairman of Jordan’s joint chiefs of staff, also attended this meeting.
The king had met former British officials and members of Parliament prior to meeting Knighton. Discussions addressed the UK’s role in supporting efforts to restore stability within the region, alongside developments in Jerusalem, Gaza, Syria, and Iran.
