Jump to content

2016 Jakarta attacks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Saqib (talk | contribs) at 09:36, 14 January 2016 (demo). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2016 Jakarta attacks
LocationJakarta, Indonesia
Date14 January 2016
11:39 (WIT) - ongoing
Attack type
Suicide bombings, shootout
DeathsAt least 17 (including perpetrators)[1][2]
InjuredSeveral
No. of participants
4 to 14

On 14 January 2016, multiple explosives and gunfire were reported near the Sarinah Mall in central Jakarta, Indonesia, at the intersection of Jalan Kyai Haji Wahid Hasyim and Jalan MH Thamrin.[3] At least six people (including three policemen) are reported to have died in the attack.[2] There were reportedly 10 to 14 attackers involved and ISIL is suspected of being behind the attack.[1] ISIL threatened that Indonesia would be targeted late last year.[4] One blast went off in a Starbucks cafe, another in front of the Sarinah mall and another at a police post outside the mall.[3] Two foreigners are believed to be deceased, one of whom reportedly Dutch.[4] The attack also occurred near a UN information center as well luxury hotels and foreign embassies, including France's.[1][5] Reports suggest that a UN official has been seriously injured or killed in the attacks.[6]

An armed stand-off is currently taking place on the fourth level of the Menara Cakrawala (Skyline building) on Jalan MH Thamrin.[7]

President Joko Widodo cut short his trip to Cirebon, stating that "We express condolence to those who became victims, but we all also condemn the attack".[5]

Background

Indonesia is the world’s most populous majority-Muslim country, but it has a secular government and influential Christian, Hindu and Buddhist minorities. Though it is far from the conflicts of the Middle East, the country has experienced several terrorist attacks by Islamist militants that have killed hundreds.[8]

This was the first major attack in Jakarta since 2009 Jakarta bombings, which was carried out by Jemaah Islamiyah and killed 7 plus 2 suicide bombers.[8] Jemaah Islamiyah is an al-Qaeda-linked group seeking to unite Indonesia, Malaysia, and the southern Philippines under an Islamic state.[9][10]

Since the 2002 Bali bombings, in which over 200 were killed, Indonesia has stepped up attempts to crack down on terrorism. An anti-terrorism law was confirmed by the Indonesian legislature in 2003.[11]

According to a spokesman for the Indonesian National Police, the police had received information in November 2015 about a warning from the Islamic State that there will be a attack in Indonesia.[8] In 2015, it was reported by Jakarta-based the Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict, that at least 50 Indonesians had joined the thousands of foreign fighters who have traveled to Syria to help extremist groups trying to create an Islamic state there.[12]

Attack

File:Menara Cakrawala (24073086695).jpg
The Starbucks cafe at the site of the attack

On 14 January, 2016 at 10:40 a.m. local time, several blasts followed by gunfire were reported to have occurred in two separate areas of the Jakarta, which is home to many luxury hotels, and offices and embassies.[13] According to a spokesman for the Indonesian National Police, the attack involved an unknown number of assailants with grenades and guns.[8]

A total seven explosions were counted by news media in which up to six people believed to have been killed, including three policemen. Reports also say 10 to 14 perpetrators involved in the attack.[14]

The attack targeted a traffic police post at a major intersection, near from the front doors of a Starbucks coffee shop and a Burger King franchise. The post was heavily damaged by explosions.[8] Three explosions in Cikini, Slipi and Kuningan neighborhoods, near Turkish and Pakistan embassies were exploded.[15]

In one incident eyewitnesses say at least three attackers entered a Starbucks cafe, which is close to several embassies, and detonated explosives before opening fire.[5] One explosion went off in front of a shopping centre called the Sarinah mall, near the United Nations office.[13]

According to the Deputy police chief Budi Gunawan, Police believe that the group behind today's attack is based in Solo, a city in central Java and group is known to have supported Islamic State (ISIS). Where as, the National Intelligence chief Sutiyoso quoted to Reuters news agency that the attack was definetely terror related but there are no indications yet that the attack is ISIS related. [16]

Death Toll

Anton Charliyan, spokesman with the police, updated that five attackers and two civilians were killed in the attacks. Three of the five dead attackers were shot dead in front of the Starbucks outlet in an exchange of gunfire with police whereas the rest two attackers died when they detonated suicide bombs, as they drove their motorcycles into police post at the intersection near Sarinah shopping center. [16]

Reaction

Domestic

President Joko Widodo called the attacks an “acts of terror” in a televised statement. He said, “Our nation and our people should not be afraid,” Mr. Joko said. “We will not be defeated by these acts of terror. I hope the public stays calm. We all are grieving for the fallen victims of this incident, but we also condemn the act that has disturbed the security and peace and spread terror among our people.”[17]

Residents of Jakarta, and across the Indonesia taken to social media to say, “We are not afraid.” The hashtag #kamitidaktakut, or “we are not afraid,” was widely used on Twitter in posts offering condolences to the victims or expressing defiance.[16]

Starbucks issued a press statement to condemn the attack.[16]

International reaction

  •  Australia Foreign Minister Julie Bishop released a statement stating that she had been in touch with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, offering any support Indonesia needed to respond to the attacks. She also stated that the Australian Government condemned the attacks.[18] The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also advised Australians to limit movement and follow the instructions of authorities.[19]
  •  Malaysia Najib Razak, the prime minister of Malaysia, said in a twet he was “deeply shocked and saddened.”[20]
  •  Singapore A spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Singapore condemned the attacks and said the country supported Indonesia in bringing those responsible to justice.[20]
  •  United Kingdom: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised Britons to follow the instructions of the authorities and limit movements around the affected areas.[21]
  •  United States The US Embassy in Jakarta encouraged Americans to stay away from areas around the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel and Sarinah Plaza.[22]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Multiple explosions, gunfire in central Jakarta, Indonesia near café & UN agency office". RT.com. Russia Today. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  2. ^ a b "Polisi pastikan enam tewas, tiga polisi dan tiga warga sipil – BBC Indonesia" [Police confirms death of size: three policemen and three civilians.] (in Indonesian). BBC Indonesia. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  3. ^ a b "Blasts, gunfight in Indonesian capital; at least three dead". Reuters. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Live: Jakarta hit by explosions and gunfire". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Jakarta blasts: Explosions and gunfire in Indonesian capital". BBC.com. BBC. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  6. ^ "ABC News 24 - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Kapolda dan Kapolres Jakpus Masuk ke Gedung Cakrawala Meski Ada Baku Tembak". detiknews. https://plus.google.com/+detikcom. Retrieved 14 January 2016. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ a b c d e Cochrane, Joe (13 January 2016). "Jakarta Attacks Leave at Least 4 Dead, Police Say". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  9. ^ "Terrorism Havens: Indonesia". Council on Foreign Relations. December 2005. Archived from the original on 29 July 2009. Retrieved 17 July 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ Onishi, Norimitsu (17 July 2009). "Militants Eyed in Indonesian Bombings". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 July 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ Ramraj, Hor, & Roach, ed. (2005). Global Anti-Terrorism Law and Policy. Cambridge University Press. p. 295. ISBN 0-521-85125-4.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  12. ^ Cochrane, Joe (31 January 2014). "Indonesian Militants Join Foreigners Fighting in Syria". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  13. ^ a b "7 dead as series of blasts rock Indonesian capital". www.dawn.com. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  14. ^ Safi, Michael; Weaver, Matthew. "Jakarta attacks: at least six dead in series of 'suicide bombings' – live updates". the Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  15. ^ "The Latest: 3 More Blasts Near Turkish, Pakistan Embassies". ABC News. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  16. ^ a b c d "Jakarta attacks". www.bbc.com. 14 January 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  17. ^ Cochrane, Joe (14 January 2016). "Four Confirmed Dead in Jakarta". The New York Times - The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Matthew Doran on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  19. ^ "Travel Advice for Indonesia - Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade". smartraveller.gov.au. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  20. ^ a b Wong, Alan (14 January 2016). "Foreign Countries Condemn Attacks". The New York Times - The New York Times. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Indonesia travel advice - GOV.UK". www.gov.uk. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  22. ^ "Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens | Jakarta, Indonesia - Embassy of the United States". jakarta.usembassy.gov. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2016_Jakarta_attacks&oldid=699765213"