Turkish authorities, including President Erdogan, announced the arrival in Ankara of Turkish citizens captured at the Turkish consulate in Mosul several months ago. Negotiations were not made public and the release was not made official until hostages were safely at home. Their harrowing experience has not been openly discussed and individual have been advised not to talk with the media.
Diplomats have kept quiet about the affair, not wishing to upset negotiations with ISIS, the organization responsible for their capture. Apparently, the Turkish government refused participation in any coalition to oppose ISIS until the transfer was completed yesterday. At this point, Pres. Erdogan has more options open to him in dealing with the US and other Western European nations who are planning to take military action against the Islamic State known as ISIS. Some victims reported various tactics by captors to scare and intimidate hostages, and that they were moved at least 7 times, often under observation by drones operated by the Turkish intelligence group.
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