Turkish Hostages Freed From Isis Without Ransom Payment or Violence

Turkish intelligence officials have said the 49 diplomatic staff and their family members freed by the Isis were not released by a ransom payment or armed confrontation with the Islamist militants.

The authorities have insisted all the captives were let go following a series of negotiations with the militant group, the specifics of which remain sketchy.

According to multiple reports, the law enforcement authorities have reiterated no prisoner swap agreements have also been made with the insurgents.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's office said in a statement: "I thank the prime minister and his colleagues for the pre-planned, carefully calculated and secretly-conducted operation throughout the night. MİT [the Turkish intelligence agency] has followed the situation very sensitively and patiently since the beginning and, as a result, conducted a successful rescue operation."

Local media reports, citing unnamed intelligence officials, said no foreign forces were involved in the negotiations with the captors.

Prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu declined to identify the nature of the operation and said the hostages were freed via intelligence agencies' "own methods" even though asked for the specifics of the details.

The hostages were said to have been kept in at least eight different places during their 100-day captivity while Turkish forces, including drones, have kept a close watch on the entire movements.

So as not to put the lives of the hostages, which include children as well, in danger, the Turkish security personnel did not launch an offensive against the militants.

Meanwhile, the freed Turkish nationals have arrived at their home country and have been received by country's top authorities.