Australian counterterrorism forces detained seven men in Sydney's Liverpool district on Thursday following intelligence about a potential violent act, just days after the Bondi Beach mass shooting that shocked the nation. The suspects – reportedly under surveillance for extremist links – were intercepted in two vehicles using tactical maneuvers, including ramming a suspect vehicle with a police SUV.
Footage showed armed officers in camouflage gear restraining zip-tied suspects face-down on roads, with one individual sustaining head injuries during apprehension. Deputy Commissioner David Hudson confirmed the operation leveraged rare counterterrorism powers allowing week-long detention without charges, citing "very low" risk tolerance after Sunday's tragedy that left six dead.
While initial reports suggested Bondi Beach as a potential target, authorities clarified Friday morning that no specific plot had been substantiated. "We have some indication Bondi was one location they might be visiting," Hudson told 702 ABC Radio Sydney, emphasizing the preventive nature of the arrests under Australia's national security framework.
The development comes as Sydney residents remain on high alert, with Thursday's operation marking the first use of maximum-force protocols since 2025's deadliest mass shooting. All seven suspects could be released within days unless prosecutors uncover concrete evidence during interrogation.
