ANKARA
Turkey's Foreign Ministry refuted allegations that the ministry declined Turkey's Mosul consulate's request for evacuation and an armoured vehicle before the raid by the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant.
Militants linked with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, widely known as ISIL, abducted 49 people from the Turkish consulate in Mosul, one day after taking 31 Turkish lorry drivers hostage.
According to the diplomatic sources, an armoured vehicle request never took place and the evacuation process was ready but did not take place because of the terrorist group raid.
ISIL, backed by tribal fighters, has been advancing in Iraq's north and west since its seizure of the Mosul city on June 10.
The ministry reiterated its support to the people in Mosul, where nearly 1.2 million people were displaced due to ISIL's attacks since June 9th.
www.aa.com.tr/en
