20/09/2014 10:20
Turkish hostages held by IS in Iraq released
Some 49 Turkish hostages seized by Islamic State (IS) in the north Iraqi city of Mosul in June are now back in Turkey, PM Ahmet Davutoglu says.
The hostages included diplomats and their families as well as soldiers, the BBC reported.
They were seized from Turkey's consulate after IS militants seized Mosul in a rapid advance in June.
Turkey has refused direct involvement in the military campaign against IS partly because of fears over the hostages' safety.
Mr Davutoglu said they were released early on Saturday.
They were being taken to the southern Turkish city of Sanliurfa by the Turkish intelligence agency.
IS has seized large areas of Iraq and Syria. Estimates say the group could have up to 30,000 fighters.