CHINA TOPIX

Turkey Secures Release of 49 Hostages From Islamic State

dweisman   |

Sep 21, 2014 05:12 AM EDT

Some 49 hostages held by ISIS/ISIL militants since June were released early Saturday to Turkish officials and taken to freedom at Sanilurfa on the Turkish side of the Syrian border. Former hostages were flown from Sanilurfa to Turkey's capital at Ankara where they were greeted by enthusiastic, flag-waving crowds. Turkey said it paid no ransom and met no conditions for the release.