ANKARA (CIHAN) - Turkish Foreign Ministry launched an initiative to rescue the Turkish hostages held by the militants groups in Iraq following the killing of a Turkish hostage.
The Foreign Ministry sent the declaration of the International Transporters Association (UND) to halt operations in Iraq to Arabic satellite television channels for airing the declaration.
Turkish hostage Murat Yuce, who was working at a US base as a cleaner, was killed yesterday by militants of the Tawhad and Jihad group of Abu Musab Al Zarkavi an ally of Al Qaeda. Two other Turkish truck drivers were killed when their convoy came under attacks in Baghdad.
The International Transporters` Association (UND) decided yesterday to stop carrying goods and supplies to US forces in Iraq following a string of kidnappings and the killing of Turkish worker Murat Yüce by Iraqi militants.
Two Turkish drivers Abdurrahman Demir and Said Unurlu, are being held by militants of the Tawhad and Jihad group of Abu Musab Al Zarkavi claiming to be from the same militant group which killed Murat Yuce. Two other Turks are feared to be held by captors.
The captors had threatened to behead the Turkish hostages unless Turkish construction firms operating in Iraq leave the country within 48 hours. It was not clear when the drivers were abducted. The deadline for two hostages expired last evening.
Kahramanli firm employing the two abducted truck drivers had already indicated it would give in to the kidnappers` demands.
Turkish Foreign Ministry handed the tape shows statement of the UND to pull out of Iraq to the Qatar based Al Jazeera and Dubai-based Al Arabiya to air. Qatar based Al Jazeera aired the statement.
Several Turkish drivers and workers have been killed or taken hostage in Iraq for helping or delivering supplies to US forces there.
Nearly daily 300 trucks have been entering into Iraq from Turkey, carrying food, fuel and other supplies to US forces.