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European official demands immediate release of Turkish hostages in Iraq

June 13, 2014 at 11:43 am

Chairperson-in-Office of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe and Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter strongly condemned the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)’s attack on the Turkish consulate in the northern city of Mosul in Iraq and the kidnapping of Turkish diplomats and their families on Wednesday.

In a statement released yesterday, the official demanded the unconditional and immediate release of the Turkish hostages, pointing out that this incident represents a dangerous development in the situation in Iraq.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that ISIS had attacked the headquarters of the Turkish consulate in Mosul and took 49 hostages to an unknown location, noting that the consul is among the hostages.

The statement pointed out that the organisation held 31 other Turkish nationals who were working in a power station in the Qayyarah district near Mosul.

This incident led to international condemnation, with officials expressing their support for the people and government of Turkey during this crisis, and their rejection of ISIS’ practices in Iraq.