The Hostage Situation That Keeps Turkey From Going After Islamic State
By Piotr Zalewski September 02, 2014
The rise of the jihadist Islamic State in Syria and Iraq has affected both the economy and security of its powerful neighbor Turkey. Yet Turkey has not taken the fight to the militants. A prolonged hostage crisis is a big part of the reason. In early June, when the militants overran Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, they also took over the Turkish consulate there, capturing 49 people including the consul general and three children. Within days, Turkish media outlets were banned from reporting on any developments in the crisis. The hostages remain captive.
More:Islamic State Holds Turkish Diplomatic Hostages as a Hedge Against Intervention by Its Powerful Neighbor - Businessweek
