On 100Th Day Of Crisis, Relatives Of Turkish Hostages Hope For Good News

With Turkey's hostage crisis entering its 100th day on Friday, relatives of the captives look forward to hearing positive developments about the release of the 46 abducted Turkish nationals, including Consul General Öztürk Yılmaz and other diplomatic staff.

On June 11, 49 people -- including Yılmaz and other diplomatic staff, special forces members, children and three Iraqis -- were taken hostage by militants from the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The terrorists broke into the consulate after threatening the diplomats inside with a bomb attack. The Turkish government then imposed a gag order on the media regarding the hostage crisis, claiming that reporting on the issue might endanger the lives of the hostages.

The relatives of the hostages have been waiting for good news about their family members and their concern has been growing because they have not been given evidence of their relatives' well-being. “The government does not come up with satisfying explanations [about the hostages' situation]. We are only told that they are safe, healthy and will soon be released. Yet no one has been rescued nor have we heard any positive developments. The government's efforts are futile and we are desperate,” Mustafa Sever, a relative of one of the hostages, told Today's Zaman.

Some relatives further complained that they have not been able to make contact with abducted family members “The government doesn't provide us with information. Officials only say that they're alright and in good spirits,” said Sever.

In June Muammer Taşdelen, a relative of three of the hostages, said that the Turkish government was “irresponsible” and accused it of failing to fulfill its duties by not rescuing the hostages.

Taşdelen then launched a signature campaign on the website change.org to put more pressure on the authorities to investigate those officials who have been negligent in this crisis. More than 20,000 people have already signed the petition, demanding that the officials responsible for this situation be investigated.

Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru recently called Taşdelen “irresponsible” for speaking to the press about the captives, claiming that he is putting the lives of the hostages in danger.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)