A Turkish businessman has been freed after being held for months by militants in Iraq. Adulkadir Tanrikulu, who worked for a Turkish construction company, had been held since January 13 after being kidnapped by Iraqi militants outside his Baghdad hotel. The kidnappers gunned down a minibus that was transporting several of his employees killing all seven on board. Turkish diplomats told AFP that he was now safe and in their custody: "Adulkadir Tanrikulu is now at the Turkish embassy in Baghdad and preparations are underway to bring him back to Turkey."

Turkey's nationals have frequently been the target of Iraqi militants. However, it not yet clear who his kidnappers were. Up till now around 90 Turks have been killed in ambushes, mainly Turkish truck drivers. Truck drivers have also fallen target to kidnapping, most of which have been released.