Iraqi Militants Storm Turkish Consulate In Mosul, Take Diplomats Hostage

Militants with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria stormed the Turkish consulate in Mosul and reportedly took diplomats hostage Wednesday.

The diplomats were reportedly brought to ISIS’ headquarters in Mosul, the English-language Turkish media outlet Hurriyet Daily News reported, citing Al Jazeera Turkish. It was unclear how many diplomats were taken hostage.

A Turkish Foreign Ministry official said the reports “have yet to be confirmed, but they are looking into them.”

The storming of the consulate occurred amid reports that at least 28 Turkish truck drivers were kidnapped by the ISIS in Mosul. The drivers were carrying diesel fuel from the south of Turkey to a power plant.

"The situation in Mosul looks a bit grim ... Concerning the 28 truck drivers, we are trying to confirm through our consular department but we have nothing as yet," a Turkish official told Reuters.

A trucking company based in southern Turkey said it lost contact with some of its drivers, adding that its employees may be among those reportedly abducted.

“Their phones are switched off,” an Ikra Logistics official told Reuters.

The ISIS took control of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city, on Tuesday, causing Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to declare a state of emergency. The prime minister also pledged weapons and equipment to any Iraqi who takes up the fight against the jihadists.

The seizure of the Turkish consulate comes a day after ISIS militants overtook Mosul, Iraq's second-largest city.