At least 7 killed in attack in Indonesia near Jakarta Starbucks, Burger King
At least three civilians, one police officer, and four terrorists were killed in a series of attacks in central Jakarta on Thursday, starting at 10:40 a.m. local time, Indonesian National Police Gen. Anton Charliyan said. The attackers used grenades and guns outside a Starbucks and Burger King near a shopping center on Jalan Thamrin, Jakarta's main thoroughfare, then attacked a nearby police post and the Pakistani and Turkish embassies among other targets. Tjahjo Kumolo, the minister of domestic affairs, blamed the attack on suicide bombers, but Gen. Anton said there were no suicide bombers involved.
Update: Indonesian police changed the casualty count later Thursday, saying two civilians, including a Canadian, and five terrorists were killed in the attack. A news service closely tied to the Islamic State said ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack, though that has not been confirmed.
Indonesia is the world's most populous majority-Muslim country, but it has faced attacks from Islamist militants over the past decade. Indonesian police arrested several suspected Islamic State militants in December, after receiving a warning in November that ISIS was planning an attack in the country. You can watch raw footage of some of the explosions below. Peter Weber
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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
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