Sydney Siege Aftermath: Australia Remains On Alert For 'Lone Wolf' Attacks, 2 Men Arrested In Sydney

Australia has been on high alert even before the Sydney siege that ended in tragedy with the deaths of two hostages. For more than a year, Australian authorities have feared they could do nothing to stop the threat of a "lone wolf" attack as supporters of ISIS in Australia travel overseas to fight.

Australia had woken up to news of the Sydney siege ending in tragedy as police stormed the Martin Place café after a 16-hour hostage drama. Two hostages were killed, along with the gunman, who was previously suspected of having ties with ISIS militants.

According to NSW Premier Mike Baird, Sydney was "shaken" by a tragic incident Australians had never imagined. He expressed his sympathies for the families of the victims with the "heaviest of hearts." ABC reports Baird said the people of Sydney will still continue to uphold the values of freedom, democracy and harmony. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sent his sympathies and prayers to the families of the deceased, the wounded and other hostages in Martin Place.

Before the events of the Sydney siege, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the federal police have long developed a strong understanding of radical Islamism in the country. The extremism of ISIS and the threat they issued against the U.S. and its allied countries like Australia may have led to the rise of a new threat from unknown individuals. According to the Guardian, they may have been encouraged by the ideology of ISIS because it appealed to them in some way. Previous reports have revealed at least 90 Australians have travelled to Syria to fight alongside ISIS or the Jabhat al-Nusra, which has ties with al Qaeda. About 20 of the Australian fighters have died in battle.

Aside from individuals who are suspected of having ties with ISIS and other extremist groups, a new breed of citizens may be viewed as a threat, especially those who have grievances and are willing to attach themselves to a terror group to get even. Man Haron Monis, the armed man behind the Sydney siege and the "lone wolf" appears to be one of those people.

Meanwhile, two men in Sydney were charged with funding the travel of Australians to the Middle East and fight with ISIS. One of them is already facing trial as he is accused of plotting a terrorist attack. Australian police had issued a statement that said one 25-year-old man was arrested on the morning of Dec. 15.

Another man, 22-year-old Omarjan Azari, was charged with terrorism funding offences. He was earlier arrested for plotting a terrorist attack following the mass police raids in Australia last September.