All 32 Turkish truck drivers abducted by ISIS return safely home


The self proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) has released on Thursday all 32 Turkish truck drivers who were abducted in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on June 10. The released truck drivers who were captured last month have landed in Turkey's province of Şanlıurfa.The ISIS has released all drivers but kept their vehicles and that Turkish authorities have taken all measures to bring back its citizens to the country. Turkish Foreign Minister spoke to press and said all drivers were received by Turkish consulate officials. Davutoğlu added that an airplane has left Istanbul to bring released truck drivers from KRG's Arbil airport.The ISIS first took abducted drivers to the UN's Mahmur Refugee Camp in Iraq's Erbil city, where Turkish officials greeted them.Following the abduction of the truck drivers last month, the ISIS stormed the Turkish consulate in Mosul the following day and took hostage dozens of people including Consul General Öztürk Yılmaz, three children and 16 diplomats.The attack came as Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared a state of emergency after ISIS overran Iraq's second-largest city, overpowering Iraqi central government forces on Tuesday and causing tens of thousands of civilians to flee. The militants are continuing the offensive, reportedly taking control of other cities, including Tikrit, 140 kilometers from Baghdad, and moving toward Tal Afar.