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DavutoÄŸlu says failed to evacuate diplomats due to intense fighting

11 June 2014 19:44 (UTC +04:00)

Militants linked to the al Qaeda splinter group, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), seized 48 Turks from the Turkish consulate in Mosul on Wednesday, including the consul-general, three children and several members of Turkey's special forces, APA reports quoting Today’s Zaman.

The group was taken from the consulate building to a militant base. Turkish authorities had contacted militant groups and confirmed all were unharmed, the source said.

DavutoÄŸlu said the order of evacuation was sent "two or three days ago" but that the diplomats could not be evacuated due to intense fighting outside the city. He said all state resources are mobilized to deal with the issue and that he hopes the Turkish citizens will be able to return Turkey safely. He also vowed that Turkey will retaliate in the strongest way in case of "any harm to our citizens." He said "no one should test Turkey's resolve."

Sunni insurgents from the al Qaeda splinter group seized Mosul on Tuesday in a show of strength against Iraq's Shi'ite-led government.

"Certain militant groups in Mosul have been directly contacted to ensure the safety of diplomatic staff," a Turkish government source said.

The seizure of the consulate means at least 76 Turks are now being held by militants in Mosul. It comes a day after 28 Turkish truck drivers were abducted by ISIL militants while they were delivering diesel to a power plant in the city.

Turkey has close trade and political links with the Kurdish-controlled area to the north of Mosul that has not, for the moment at least, been targeted by ISIL. It sees a particular role in protecting the interests of the Turkmen ethnic minority in that area.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan held an emergency meeting with the Undersecretary of Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MÄ°T) and Deputy Prime Minister BeÅŸir Atalay to discuss the developments, officials said.

DavutoÄŸlu, who had been due to deliver a speech at a United Nations counter-terrorism meeting in New York, cut short his visit and is returning to Turkey.

DavutoÄŸlu had said on his Twitter account late on Tuesday, after the truck drivers were taken, that the necessary measures had been taken for the safety of the Turkish consulate in Mosul.