A Turkish hostage was freed by US troops during a major offensive (also here) in Samarra today, Reuters reports. Yahlin Kaya was in Iraq working for a construction company building infrastructure projects. No reports as to how long Yahlin Kaya was held hostage.

Several groups have taken Turkish hostages in the past. Some of these groups, while claiming to be part of a larger network of 'resistance', seem to be no more than criminal gangs attempting extort ransom money. Others demand that Turkish companies leave Iraq, and some companies have.

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Tawhid wal Jihad group has also kidnapped Turkish citizens in the past. On September 13th they released a video of the beheading of Turkish truck driver Durmus Kumdereli while releasing a fellow Turk Mustafa Koksal [details, link to video, and images here]. On September 2nd, Zarqawi's group executed three Turkish hostages [images and details here]. On August 19th they shot Turkish citizen Aytullah Gezmen in the head [details and images here]. Mr. Gezman was kidnapped with another Turk, Murat Yuce, who was beheaded by Zarqawi a month before [details, links to video, and images here]. On August 2nd a murder video of Turkish truck driver Durmus Kumdereli being shot in the back of the head was released by Zarqawi's group [details, images, and links to video here].

This is the same Zarqawi who has now claimed responsibility for killing 34 children yesterday in Baghdad. The same Zarqawi that some on the far left insist on calling a freedom fighter.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:23 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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