[mhb]

Yes. But then it seems like a mistake to have put the mattress against the door since that strongly suggests that someone is in the room.

[runjake]

He did this to physically shield himself from random shrapnel. His purpose in opening the balcony door was to give the impression that somebody may have egressed.

This is taught in tradecraft courses, and this mention along with others in the article suggests to me that he's been through some tradecraft and/or SERE-type trainings -- probably oriented towards journalists.

[ip26]

Maybe journalists, or maybe pilots. Planes & airports have long been a high profile target.

[runjake]

Err pilots, I meant. I got some wires cross in my head when typing that out.

I attended one such tradecraft class and was remembering that virtually all my classmates were journalists headed into theater (Iraq/Afghanistan/Pakistan).

[jsgo]

Or could be perceived as a diversion to allow the person enough time to get down their makeshift rope.