Australian police from the bomb squad unit walk near the site where a gunman was shot dead after holding a woman hostage in Melbourne, Australia, June 5, 2017. AAP/Julian Smith/via REUTERS

CAIRO (Reuters) - Islamic State said on Monday one of its fighters was responsible for a shooting and hostage situation in Australia and that he had done so because of the country’s membership in a U.S.-led coalition against the militant group.

“The attack in Melbourne, Australia was carried out by a soldier of the Islamic State in response to the call for targeting the subjects of the coalition states,” the group’s Amaq news agency said.

Australian police on Monday shot dead a gunman in the city of Melbourne who had taken a woman hostage. The gunman shot three officers following a standoff of over an hour.