Earlier in the day, media reports emerged of the kidnapping of Turkish nationals by unknown assailants in Baghdad. The kidnappers were allegedly wearing masks and dressed in military uniforms. The Turkish nationals were working on the construction of a sports complex in the Baghdad's Shiite suburb of Sadr City, according to local media.

Following the news, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus issued a statement saying that the ministry is in constant contact with the Iraqi authorities concerning the incident, and is hoping for a favorable resolution to the situation, Sputnik News Agency reported on Wednesday.

In June 2014, militants from the terrorist group Islamic State took 49 employees of the Turkish consulate in Mosul in northern Iraq hostage. The hostages were released after three months in captivity.

Source: Mena