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Turkish hostages held by IS in Iraq released Turkish hostages held by IS in Iraq released
(35 minutes later)
Dozens of Turkish hostages seized by Islamic State (IS) in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in June have been released and are back in Turkey. Dozens of hostages seized by Islamic State (IS) from the Turkish consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul have been freed and are back in Turkey.
PM Ahmet Davutoglu said the 46 had been taken to the southern city of Sanliurfa by the Turkish intelligence agency. PM Ahmet Davutoglu said the 49 had been taken to the southern city of Sanliurfa by the Turkish intelligence agency.
Details are unclear but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it had been a "detailed and secret operation".Details are unclear but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said it had been a "detailed and secret operation".
The hostages were seized from Turkey's consulate after IS militants captured Mosul in a rapid advance in June. The hostages were seized after IS militants overran Mosul in a rapid advance in June.
They included diplomats and their families as well as soldiers.
Turkey has refused direct involvement in the military campaign against IS partly because of fears over the hostages' safety.Turkey has refused direct involvement in the military campaign against IS partly because of fears over the hostages' safety.
Mr Davutoglu said that the hostages were all in good health and that they were released early on Saturday. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said the 49 hostages were employees from the consulate - 46 Turks and three local Iraqis - and included Consul General Ozturk Yilmaz, other diplomats, children and special forces police.
Mr Davutoglu said they were all in good health and that they were released early on Saturday.
"I am sharing joyful news which as a nation we have been waiting for,'' he said."I am sharing joyful news which as a nation we have been waiting for,'' he said.
"In the early hours our citizens were handed over to us and we brought them back to our country. They have crossed into Turkey and I am on my way to see them.''"In the early hours our citizens were handed over to us and we brought them back to our country. They have crossed into Turkey and I am on my way to see them.''
Mr Davutoglu was cutting short a visit to Azerbaijan to meet the released hostages.Mr Davutoglu was cutting short a visit to Azerbaijan to meet the released hostages.
He did not give details on the circumstances of their release but broadcaster NTV reported that Turkey had not paid a ransom. It did not say how it obtained the information.He did not give details on the circumstances of their release but broadcaster NTV reported that Turkey had not paid a ransom. It did not say how it obtained the information.
Earlier reports said 49 Turkish hostages had been freed but it later emerged that three of those being held in Mosul were Iraqis, possibly employees of the consulate. The fate of the three Iraqi hostages is not yet clear.
More than 30 Turkish lorry drivers, who were also seized in Mosul in June, were freed a month later but details of their release were not made public.More than 30 Turkish lorry drivers, who were also seized in Mosul in June, were freed a month later but details of their release were not made public.
IS has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Estimates say the group could have up to 30,000 fighters.IS has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Estimates say the group could have up to 30,000 fighters.
The US has carried out more than 170 air strikes against the jihadists in Iraq since mid-August, supporting Iraqi government and Kurdish ground troops.The US has carried out more than 170 air strikes against the jihadists in Iraq since mid-August, supporting Iraqi government and Kurdish ground troops.
French jets carried out their first strikes on Friday, hitting an IS depot in north-eastern Iraq.French jets carried out their first strikes on Friday, hitting an IS depot in north-eastern Iraq.
Also on Friday, Turkey opened a stretch of its south-eastern border to thousands of Syrian Kurds fleeing an IS advance.Also on Friday, Turkey opened a stretch of its south-eastern border to thousands of Syrian Kurds fleeing an IS advance.
Turkish troops had earlier blocked them from crossing, triggering angry protests from Turkish Kurds in the border village of Dikemetas.Turkish troops had earlier blocked them from crossing, triggering angry protests from Turkish Kurds in the border village of Dikemetas.
Turkey has been under pressure from Western countries to tighten up its borders with Syria and Iraq and to stem the flow of foreign fighters joining the militants.Turkey has been under pressure from Western countries to tighten up its borders with Syria and Iraq and to stem the flow of foreign fighters joining the militants.
More than 847,000 Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.More than 847,000 Syrian refugees have crossed into Turkey since the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad began in 2011.
Iran 'has role'Iran 'has role'
More than 30 nations have joined a US-led coalition to take on IS militants, but Turkey has said it will only allow humanitarian and logistical operations from a Nato air base on its soil.More than 30 nations have joined a US-led coalition to take on IS militants, but Turkey has said it will only allow humanitarian and logistical operations from a Nato air base on its soil.
Syria and Iran have been excluded from the coalition.Syria and Iran have been excluded from the coalition.
However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that Iran still had a role to play in tackling IS.However, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Friday that Iran still had a role to play in tackling IS.
Chairing a meeting of the UN Security Council, Mr Kerry said the coalition was not only military in nature.Chairing a meeting of the UN Security Council, Mr Kerry said the coalition was not only military in nature.
"It's about taking out an entire network, decimating and discrediting a militant cult masquerading as a religious movement," Mr Kerry said."It's about taking out an entire network, decimating and discrediting a militant cult masquerading as a religious movement," Mr Kerry said.
He added: "There is a role for nearly every country in the world to play, including Iran."He added: "There is a role for nearly every country in the world to play, including Iran."
On Thursday, the US Senate approved Mr Obama's plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels to fight IS.On Thursday, the US Senate approved Mr Obama's plan to arm and train moderate Syrian rebels to fight IS.
US air strikes are now expected in Syria, but Mr Obama said he will not authorise a ground operation in Iraq or Syria.US air strikes are now expected in Syria, but Mr Obama said he will not authorise a ground operation in Iraq or Syria.