ISIS releases 49 hostages after nearly four months in captivity. Faith Cleaver- P4

46 Turkish citizens and 3 Iraqis were abducted after a Turkish consulate in Mosul, a city of about 1.6 million, was raided by the Islamic group in June. Those abducted were men, women, and even two infants. People are calling the release unusual for a group now infamous for the brutal decapitations of its hostages on film. Among those abducted was Turkish Consul General Ozturk Yilmaz, who was kissed on the forehead by Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu upon his return. The Consul General was reported to have put his life on the line by refusing to read a prepared statement on video while a gun was being held to his head. Turkish hostage Alptekin Esirgun who is now home stated that, "There were times when we faced death, but we supported each other."
     The rescue of the hostages was a continuous effort by the Turkish government that went into its final stage at around 11:30 last night after nearly four months of planning. Davutoglu states that the Turkish government paid no ransom and met no conditions set by the militant group yet ISIS released the hostages willingly. Although the battle against ISIS is far from over, this is being viewed as a step in the right direction.
 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/09/20/world/europe/turkey-iraq-diplomats-freed/
http://www.buzzfeed.com/gavon/isis-releases-49-hostages#3klxw19