Turkey pledges military retaliation in Iraq

Turkey issued a warning that they would use military force if any harm is brought to the 80 Turkish people kidnapped by insurgents in northern Iraq.

The group consists of special forces soldiers, diplomats and their family members. They were taken hostage by the militant group called the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, a branch of al-Qaeda.

At Turkey's request, NATO held an emergency meeting in Brussels where Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul talked with military and intelligence chiefs.

'The most important thing is the safe and secure return of our personnel and their families to Turkey. In Syria or Iraq or anywhere in the world, those who jeopardise the lives of our people will receive the harshest retaliation. Nobody should test the determination and capability of Turkey,' said Ahmet Davutoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister, who cancelled his meetings at the UN to return to Turkey.

Meanwhile, the US has promised to supply the 'appropriate assistance' in order to help the overwhelmed Iraqi government fight back Sunni militants.