Mosul Consulate Hostage Crisis (Update: All Hostages Have Been Freed)

[Hakan]

Turkish diplomat says US air strikes against ISIL almost killed hostages
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Turkey's consul general in Mosul, who spent some 101 days in captivity at the hands of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, has said that a recent U.S. bombing in northern Iraq killed two jihadists who were guarding the building where Turkish hostages stayed.

"The area that we were kept and the road that our vehicle used were bombed. Some air strikes hit very close. There were people among us who were injured when windows shattered. Still, without the U.S. bombing, perhaps we wouldn't be able to survive," Consul General Öztürk Yılmaz said Sept. 20 during a live interview with Turkish broadcaster NTV.

Some 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqi staff were kidnapped on June 11 by the ISIL after the militants seized control of all of Mosul, Iraq’s third largest city. Turkey's hostages were freed earlier in the day following the Turkish intelligence agency’s intense work and a secret operation.

Another hostage from the consulate told NTV that the bombing was continuous. "It hit us. I was trapped under debris. Glass had sticked into my head. They told that two [militants] were killed outside," the unnamed man said.

The United States early last month began air strikes against ISIL positions in northern Iraq to stop the militant group's advance.

Yılmaz confirmed that he resisted the group's demands by risking his life.

"They put a gun to my head and wanted to take photos in my room [for propaganda purposes]. I declined to unlock the room and told them that we would prefer to be killed if anything bad happens to women, children and our flag," he said, while rejecting reports that the bruise on his face was the result of the confrontation at gunpoint. "No, it was the result of something else," he said, smiling.

The Turkish diplomat also said the militants forced them to watch propaganda videos to "make the hostages' morale collapse." The videos that show the beheading of Americanjournalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were among the footage the Turkish hostages were forced to watch, Yılmaz added.

"There wasn't any physical abuse, but there were always threats. They have a different culture. It's hard to learn about them instantly. I could only know them after spending a long time together. They can swear on Quran a hundred times and then they can still easily lie a hundred times," he stated.

The ISIL changed the location of the hostages for eight times, Yılmaz confirmed, stressing that the militants were trying to deceive the Turks by telling them that they were transfered out of Mosul, although they actually never left the city.

Declining to reveal the details about their travel from Mosul to Turkey via Raqqa, the ISIL's stronghold in Syria, Yılmaz said:

"I consider it an honor if something bad happens to me because of my country. I've been working in Foreign Ministry for the past 19 years. Now I want to rest a few days with my family and then I'll get back to work again."

Turkish diplomat says US air strikes against ISIL almost killed hostages - INTERNATIONAL

 

[what]

Why would ISIS let the hostages go in a time where they could really use them and force us in not participating in an international alliance against them?

 

[Hakan]

TURKEY ASSIGNS ARMED FORCES FOR MISSIONS ABROAD

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ISTANBUL — Turkey's representative offices in countries of high-security risks will be guarded by special forces appointed by the Turkish army from now on, following specific orders from Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. During the Turkish National Security Council's (MGK) meeting on Wednesday, Davutoğlu reportedly told the Chief of Defense Gen. Necdet Özel, "The police special operations teams are trained to prevent armed acts in residential or in rural areas, whereas the "Bordo Bereliler," (the Maroon Berets in English, the nickname for special forces command of the Turkish Armed Forces) are trained to ensure security at times of war. Turkey's diplomatic buildings, notably embassies and consulates, are guarded by the police special operation teams. However, at the moment, another model is being discussed to protect the diplomatic missions in regions of high-security risk, following the recent kidnapping of 46 Turkish citizens and three Iraqi citizens working for the Mosul Consulate by ISIS militants on June 11. The civilians were rescued after an early operation on Saturday. On Davutoğlu's instructions, Turkey will appoint the army's special command forces to its representative offices in countries of combat-zones.

Turkey assigns armed forces for missions abroad | Politics | Daily Sabah

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Turkey Indicates Islamic State Prisoners Swap​

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan indicated for the first time Monday that his country may have traded Islamic State group prisoners it held captive in exchange for 49 Turkish hostages held by the militants.

Asked about it in New York on Monday, Erdogan said "such things may be possible." He said Israel released 1,500 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli hostage. "So you see, it's possible," he added.

The hostages — 46 Turks and three Iraqis — were returned to Turkey on Saturday after more than three months in the hands of the Islamic State group, which captured them when it overran the Iraqi city of Mosul in June.

Turkish government officials have not revealed how they managed to secure the release of the captives. Erdogan denied paying a ransom but has been vague on whether there was a prisoner swap.

Speaking at the Council of Foreign Relations in New York, Erdogan tried to sidestep the question.

"This process that took 102 days involved an operation by the national intelligence agency ... it was a historic, very important process," he said.

Erdogan stressed that no payment was involved. "As to the rest, you probably cannot expect us to publicly divulge what the international agencies do in their business but the end result is that 49 diplomatic consular staff have been released."

Pressed further, he acknowledge that there may have been a prisoners swap.

"Such things may be possible," he said.

What Turkey may or may not have done to secure the release has been a subject of speculation. Many observers expressed disbelief that the ruthless militant group would have relinquished such a big bargaining chip without getting something in return.

Asked about joining the international coalition to fight the Islamic State group in Syria, Erdogan said Turkey has "no hesitation whatsoever when it comes to fighting terrorism."

He said Turkey has been unjustly criticized for not being clearer on the subject "because we were mindful of the safety of our citizens."

"This is a systematic attack on turkey's international reputation," he said.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Monday that he expects Turkey to step up in the fight against the Islamic State group now that Turkey has secured the hostages' release.

Turkey, a U.S. ally and NATO member, has made commitments at various regional conferences to help in the effort against the Islamic State group but the help has been limited so far because "they first needed to deal with their hostage situation," Kerry said in an appearance on MSNBC.

"Now the proof will be in the pudding," Kerry said.

 

[Hakan]

Militants parked explosive-laden pickups in front of Mosul consulate, Turkish hostage says

The Turkish consulate in Mosul was surrounded by around 1,000 Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants, who parked three vehicles full of explosives next to the facility, on the day that the 49 consular staff were seized by ISIL, one of the Turkish hostages has said.

Special operations policeman Veysel Can was taken hostage by the group and released with the others after 101 day of captivity on Sept. 20.

Speaking to Doğan News Agency in his hometown of Gaziantep, Can said the staff inside surrendered without any clashes, on the order of Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, who was foreign minister at the time.

The militants distributed written notices and announced they were preparing for a “bloody revenge,” he said, adding that one ISIL militant was killed in the raid.

“On the day of the raid, they came to our door. A Turkmen militant told us to open the gate. We said this was impossible. Then, they parked three pick-ups full of, according to my estimation, more than 500 kilograms of explosives. We were surrounded by about 1,000 people. Most of them were carrying guns. There were militants with bazookas on the roofs of houses. Then, our consul general talked to [Davutoğlu] on the phone,” Can said. “On his order, we did not get involved in any clashes and surrendered.”

The group was then moved to eight different locations in Mosul and survived air attacks during the transfers, he also said.
September/24/2014
Militants parked explosive-laden pickups in front of Mosul consulate, Turkish hostage says - LOCAL

@Targon

 

[Charon 2]

How was the Turkish government able to free the captivites from the IS? How did they negotiate with the terrorists? Isn't there something shady about this?

 

[atatwolf]

How was the Turkish government able to free the captivites from the IS? How did they negotiate with the terrorists? Isn't there something shady about this?

Not at all. Turkey promised not to attack ISIS and they released the hostages. The only way they would release them. We gave them what they want and the rest is a show.

 

[era_shield]

How was the Turkish government able to free the captivites from the IS? How did they negotiate with the terrorists? Isn't there something shady about this?

Nobody is sure, but the most plausible theory is a prisoner exchange. Even though this would mean Turkey is now free to attack them, ISIS may have calculated that because they're already being bombed by a dozen countries, one more won't change much.

The most implausible and irrational theory is that ISIS released their hostages in return for a promise that Turkey won't bomb them. People that repeat that garbage don't understand the simple concept of hostage-taking. Never in history has a hostage-taker been stupid enough to release all their hostages in return for a promise, because they would get nothing in return.

 

[INDIAPOSITIVE]

The Ankara government in its deal with the Islamic State militants, may have reportedly set free at least 180 ISIS terrorists, including two British jihadists.

Since the release of the 49 hostages from the Turkish embassy in Mosul, there have been fears that Turkey may have struck a damaging deal with ISIS.

Earlier last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hinted that the 49 hostages might have been freed by the ISIS as part of a prisoner swap.

"You might have an exchange but it takes some effort to prepare for such a thing," BBC quoted Erdogan as saying.

A recent report in The Times has found that the British counter terrorism officers were investigating two British jihadists -- Shabazz Suleman, 18 and Hisham Folkard, 26 -- who were among the 180 ISIS fighters traded by Turkey to secure the release of its consular staff in Mosul.

Similarly, a Yemeni ISIS militant, who goes by the name of Al-Mqdad al-Sharouri, had claimed on Twitter that he was also one of the prisoners freed by the Turkish government.

Earlier speculations on the prisoner swap had put the number of ISIS fighters released by Turkey at 50.

A report by Hurriyet Daily News had claimed that the day 49 Turkish hostages were released; Liwa al-Tawhid, a Syrian rebel group with close ties to Turkey also freed 50 ISIS members.

Since the hostage crisis, many had feared that the Islamic State militants would be able to arm-twist Ankara into submitting to its will and the fears seems to be coming true. Turkey's stance in the US-led coalition war effort against ISIS still remains vague and ambiguous.

Additionally, Ankara also has remained non-cooperative in its support to Kobane, a small border town in Syria that shares its boundaries with Turkey. The local Kurdish fighters, including women have been fighting a brave battle against ISIS, while Turkey and the US-coalition forces till now have refused to help the town.

Turkey Swapped 180 ISIS Fighters Including 2 British Jihadists for its Mosul Embassy Staff

 

[-------]

Israel trades Hamas for it's citizens all the time, I wouldn't mind one bit if Turkey did the same.

 

[Biplab Bijay]

The Ankara government in its deal with the Islamic State militants, may have reportedly set free at least 180 ISIS terrorists, including two British jihadists.

Since the release of the 49 hostages from the Turkish embassy in Mosul, there have been fears that Turkey may have struck a damaging deal with ISIS.

Earlier last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had hinted that the 49 hostages might have been freed by the ISIS as part of a prisoner swap.

"You might have an exchange but it takes some effort to prepare for such a thing," BBC quoted Erdogan as saying.

A recent report in The Times has found that the British counter terrorism officers were investigating two British jihadists -- Shabazz Suleman, 18 and Hisham Folkard, 26 -- who were among the 180 ISIS fighters traded by Turkey to secure the release of its consular staff in Mosul.

Similarly, a Yemeni ISIS militant, who goes by the name of Al-Mqdad al-Sharouri, had claimed on Twitter that he was also one of the prisoners freed by the Turkish government.

Earlier speculations on the prisoner swap had put the number of ISIS fighters released by Turkey at 50.

A report by Hurriyet Daily News had claimed that the day 49 Turkish hostages were released; Liwa al-Tawhid, a Syrian rebel group with close ties to Turkey also freed 50 ISIS members.

Since the hostage crisis, many had feared that the Islamic State militants would be able to arm-twist Ankara into submitting to its will and the fears seems to be coming true. Turkey's stance in the US-led coalition war effort against ISIS still remains vague and ambiguous.

Additionally, Ankara also has remained non-cooperative in its support to Kobane, a small border town in Syria that shares its boundaries with Turkey. The local Kurdish fighters, including women have been fighting a brave battle against ISIS, while Turkey and the US-coalition forces till now have refused to help the town.

Turkey Swapped 180 ISIS Fighters Including 2 British Jihadists for its Mosul Embassy Staff

180 ? wow. I thought Indians were weak .

 

[Turingsage]

Israel trades Hamas for it's citizens all the time, I wouldn't mind one bit if Turkey did the same.

Yes but Israel doesnt go on to claim a hugely successful undercover behind the lines military operation to recover their diplomats as Turkey did.
This was just plain capitulation and cowerdice by a country which has allowed thousand of ISIL terrorists to travel to Syria. Offers R&R to their fighters. Refuses to fire at ISIL even when they can see whites of their eyes. Fires on anyone who opposes ISIL. Its clear that the Turkish govt have soiled their collective nappies whenever ISIL looks them in the eye.

 

[-SINAN-]

Yes but Israel doesnt go on to claim a hugely successful undercover behind the lines military operation to recover their diplomats as Turkey did.
This was just plain capitulation and cowerdice by a country which has allowed thousand of ISIL terrorists to travel to Syria. Offers R&R to their fighters. Refuses to fire at ISIL even when they can see whites of their eyes. Fires on anyone who opposes ISIL. Its clear that the Turkish govt have soiled their collective nappies whenever ISIL looks them in the eye.

I love clueless people like yourselves talking shıt about Turkey with your half-assed knowledge.

***

On the subject, another BS article which we don't need to dwell on.

 

[-------]

180 ? wow. I thought Indians were weak .

Why do you think Indians are weak, that's an interesting comment coming from and Indian (?)

 

[Biplab Bijay]

Why do you think Indians are weak, that's an interesting comment coming from and Indian (?)

because when they released 3 terrorists for some 150 airline passengers. That is why I thought that Indians are weak.

 

[-------]

because when they released 3 terrorists for some 150 airline passengers. That is why I thought that Indians are weak.

Oh so Turkey releasing some (still no source if true btw) 180 ISIS for 48 hostages makes Turkey a weak country ?

Then Israel must truly be the weakest Country on the earth by that erroneous logic.