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# Will Turkey Toughen ISIS Stance Now That Hostages Are Free?

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## Video: Will Turkey Toughen ISIS Stance Now That Hostages Are Free?

[Watch (HLS stream): Will Turkey Toughen ISIS Stance Now That Hostages Are Free?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/RXAYqEwk.m3u8) (1:37)

![Will Turkey Toughen ISIS Stance Now That Hostages Are Free?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RXAYqEwk/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2014-09-20. Turkey had previously resisted calls to join the U.S. in military action against ISIS, citing the safety of 49 Turks taken hostage by the group._


---

Jul 27, 2023 5:16 PM UTC

---

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### Turkey - ISIS Surrounds Kobani

[ISIS Executes British Hostage David Haines](/video/xN3sJPpt/)

### ISIS Executes British Hostage David Haines

---


## Transcript

Finally some good news in the global fight against ISIS. Militants from the group captured 49 Turkish citizens in Mosul back in June. On Saturday, they were finally freed, in what the Prime Minister described only as an intelligence operation. What's unclear is just how Turkey managed to secure the release after all this time. Incredibly, Turkish media are reporting that there was no ransom or prisoner swap involved. Prompting all sorts of questions over what may have been promised in return. But the big question is, whether this will change Turkey's involvement in the American- led campaign against ISIS.

A number of Turkey's Arab neighbors have pledged military action against the group. So far, Turkey, a key U. S. ally and NATO member, has resisted despite an intense lobbying effort by the U. S. Given its proximity to ISIS territory, Turkey would make for an effective partner. The US could launch its airstrikes from an airbase in southern Turkey. But for now, Turkey's only providing humanitarian and logistical support. Turkey's reluctance to getting involved can be explained by a few factors, the hostages being one. Turkish officials fear they could be further endangered if Turkey took aggressive action against ISIS.

But, there is another, more political reason. Turkey likely fears any action against ISIS could indirectly strengthen its primary enemy, Syrian President Bashar al- Assad. The thinking is, eliminating ISIS would clear the way for Assad to focus on the more moderate rebels trying to overthrow him. The U. S. Strategy against ISIS also creates political problems for Turkish officials, who worry efforts to arm Iraq's Kurdish fighters could strengthen Turkey's own Kurdish militants, fighting for autonomy in Turkey

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