AMN / WEB DESK
The hostage crisis at a US synagogue has finally ended and four persons including the synagogue’s rabbi have been freed safely at Colleyville in Texas. Texas Governor Greg Abbott in a tweet said, prayers answered and all hostages are out alive and safe. They were rescued after a 10-hour operation. They were taken hostage during a morning service on Saturday. Police deployed special weapons teams, while FBI negotiators spent hours talking to the assailant. Colleyville Police Chief Michael Miller said during a press conference that the suspect is deceased.
The hostage-taker was heard demanding the release of Aafia Siddiqui, a Pakistani neuroscientist who is currently serving an 86-year prison term in the US, law enforcement officials told local media. Siddiqui was convicted of trying to kill US military officers while in custody in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has condemned anti-Semitism after several people were taken hostage at a synagogue and pledged to do everything to prevent the rise of extremism in the country. President Biden said in a White House statement on Sunday that they will stand against anti-Semitism and against the rise of extremism in this country. He noted that law enforcement officers had acted cooperatively and fearlessly to rescue the hostages and thanked them for their tireless work.