Turkish Press Review

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ISTANBUL (AA) – Anadolu Agency does not verify these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

All Turkish dailies on Friday covered the kidnapping of 49 consulate staff members and 31 Turkish truck drivers after Islamist militants seized Iraq’s oil-rich city of Mosul and Ankara’s diplomatic efforts to secure the release of 80 Turkish citizens, and the World Cup kicking off in Brazil.

Daily HURRIYET runs with the headline “24 hours of hope,” reporting that Ankara put “trusted mediators” into action to save the hostages that were taken by al-Qaeda inspired terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) in Mosul. The newspaper added that the group gave positive signals on releasing the hostages and reported that the first 24 hours are very critical.

The attack came a day after ISIL took control of Iraq’s second largest city in the north of the country. 49 Turkish consulate staff and family members, and 31 truck drivers were abducted by ISIL. The Turkish government has been on alert to secure the release of 80 Turkish citizens.

Daily VATAN published an exclusive intelligence story about the details of the abduction of 49 Turkish consulate staff by Islamist group ISIL in Mosul. The newspaper said ISIL surrounded the consulate on Tuesday night with four tanks and heavy machine guns which were stolen from the Iraq army. 30 Turkish special forces blocked insurgents entering the building and snipers were deployed while negotiations between the two parties took place.  Ankara, however, did not further retaliate in an effort not to risk the lives of the consulate staff.

Daily HABERTURK runs with the headline “Youngest hostage”, referring to a 9-month old baby girl, one of the hostages taken by ISIL from the Turkish consulate in Mosul. The daily reported that the father of the baby has worked as an IT specialist for three years in the Turkish consulate in Mosul. The daily also reported that the father called his close relatives informing them that the consulate had been raided and that the insurgents cut communication lines there.

SABAH reports on its front page with the headline “No compromise with terror," referring to Ankara’s rejections of preconditions for the release of hostages taken by ISIL. The daily claims that Ankara issued an order to release the hostages.

Turkish dailies also focused on 2014 World Cup’s kicking off in Brazil with a spectacular opening ceremony on Thursday.

“The festival of football starts with samba,” ran the front page of Daily MILLIYET, reporting that the 2014 World Cup started with a colorful ceremony before hosting the Brazil and Croatia first match where Brazil beat Croatia 3-1.

Daily STAR said that Brazil danced the samba in its first game, referring to Brazil making its debut win at the start of the World Cup games.