Turkey continues efforts for release of 49 hostages

The Turkish government is continuing to work for the release of 49 of its kidnapped citizens, including Mosul Consul-General Öztürk Yılmaz, but has asked for the public not to speculate about the incident lest it place the abductees in harm’s way, Turkey's Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu is quoted as saying by Hürriyet Daily News.

“Bringing a coverage ban was a necessity for their safety. Any speculation or coverage about [this incident] risks their lives. Creating unnecessary expectations or unnecessary pessimism would hurt our friends there,” Davutoğlu said in an interview with SkyTürk Tv July 8. “These would also hurt circles that we are in intense diplomatic contact with. That’s why I attach great importance to the public opinion’s sensitivity so far.” 

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) kidnapped Turkey’s consul-general and 48 personnel of the consulate on June 11 after it seized control of Mosul. The Foreign Ministry and the national intelligence are leading efforts for the release of Turkish citizens but the media cannot freely report on the work because of a media blackout on the issue.