EU expresses gladness over release of Turkish hostages taken by IS

BRUSSELS  (Xinhua) - The European Union here on Saturday expressed gladness over the release of 49 Turkish hostages taken by Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq.

A statement issued by the European External Action Service said it is pleased to learn that the 49 Turkish hostages taken by IS inside the premises of the Turkish consulate have been released and are able to be reunited with their families.

The international coalition is "committed to ridding the region of the scourge" of the IS, said the statement, noting that Turkey is a "vital partner in this endeavor and an essential focus for our dialogue."   A group of IS armed attackers took control of the Turkish consulate in Mosul in Iraq on June 11, and abducted 49 people including the consul general, staff and their family members.