Counterterrorism police arrested seven people in southwest Sydney on Thursday in a dramatic operation that required "significant police reinforcement," according to reports in local Australian media.
Five suspects were traveling in two vehicles when a large police presence stopped them. The officers, armed with weapons and wearing camouflage uniforms, protective vests, and helmets, were seen searching the vehicles the suspects were traveling in and handcuffing them. At least one of the vehicles was rammed by a police vehicle until it stopped.
The dramatic incident occurred at the corner of George and Campbell Streets in Liverpool, across the road from the bustling Westfield shopping center, near a school and medical center. According to reports, people who were present at the scene and in nearby stores were not allowed to leave the area until the incident was resolved.
According to footage on social media, one of the suspects appeared injured in the head and bleeding.
Video: Dramatic moments of the arrest of the seven suspects in Sydney. Credit: Social media
The New South Wales Police stated that the police tactical unit acted on intelligence information received from the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) about "violent action that may have been planned." Police have raised alert levels in the past week and have been operating with heightened vigilance following the massacre that occurred at Bondi Beach earlier this week, an event that has left a significant mark on Australia in general and raised difficult questions about the failures of security forces and security at Jewish events.
Security sources report that the operation ended successfully and that there is currently no danger to the public. They also report that there is no connection between today's operation and the ongoing investigation into the shooting incident at Bondi, but no information was provided about the motive of the five men.
Australian media outlets report that the five were traveling in vehicles with Victoria state license plates and were known to authorities in Victoria. Sources familiar with the operation who spoke to the Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald said that a weapon may have been found in the vehicle, although police have not officially confirmed this.
An eyewitness described what was happening to the Australian media outlet "news" and said it was "frightening to see so many armed police in the area" in light of the massacre that occurred earlier this week. "It's not something you see every day, but now it's even more terrifying. When will this end?"
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Kerri Bart stated after the operation ended that additional raids are expected following the Bondi terror attack and the tense atmosphere: "In the coming days, the New South Wales counterterrorism team will execute additional search warrants that will assist our investigation. There is a large amount of material to examine, and the AFP continues to work with local and international partners to uncover the full picture of the suspects' movements and connections, both within Australia and abroad," she said.
