Turkey reopens consulate in Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Turkey has reopened its consulate in Iraq’s northern city of Mosul, nearly seven years after it was closed when the Islamic State (ISIS) attacked the city.

“Our consulate general in Mosul is ready for service, resuming operations. Working day and night for the peace and prosperity of our region, Turkey will once again serve the climate of brotherhood in Mosul,” tweeted Fahrettin Altun, communication director for the Turkish presidency.

Consul General Mehmet Kucuksakalli, in a tweet on Wednesday, said that they were making preparations for reopening the consulate, saying, “The separation has ended and we are in Mosul. Congratulations.”  

The consulate was closed in the summer of 2014 after ISIS attacked and seized control of the city. The militants took hostage 49 staff of the consulate, including then-Consul General Ozturk Yilmaz, releasing them more than three months later. 

Turkish officials have said several times in recent years that they want to reopen the consulate in the city that was once part of the Ottoman Empire. 

“We are re-opening the consulates general in Mosul and Basra in line with our aim to reach all parts of Iraq. We are also working on the opening of the consulate generals in Najaf and Kirkuk for the first time,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in November 2020. 

Turkey recently changed its ambassador to Iraq.