Turks the victims of their own success in Mosul

The capture of Mosul by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or ISIS) militants has underlined the threat posed by conflict in the region to Turkey, which has made developing business with Iraq a cornerstone of its economic policy (GSN 932/12), while maintaining its enduring role as the cutting edge of Nato in the region. ISIL’s charge into Mosul swept up around 30 Turkish truck drivers and 49 Turks who were at the consulate on 11 June, including diplomats, three children, security guards and long-suffering consul-general Ozturk Yılmaz, who was previously an adviser to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan said on 13 June he had spoken to Yilmaz and that none of the group had been hurt. His government, along with the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) and Turkish Armed Forces were working to bring back their citizens “in a safe and secure manner”.