Report: Turkish Army Probes Soldier for Failure to Resist IS

W460

The Turkish military has launched disciplinary proceedings against a soldier for failing to resist Islamic State (IS) insurgents after he went missing on the border with Syria, media reported on Monday.

Ozgur Ors, a non-commissioned officer, went missing in January after he crossed the border into Syria from the southeastern Turkish province of Kilis in an operation to capture a group of smugglers.

Media have speculated that Ors might have been kidnapped by IS militants who have seized swathes of Iraq and Syria -- a claim which was not confirmed by either the government or the military.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on January 5 that the soldier was brought back home after a "successful operation" carried out by the Turkish spy agency, without providing further details.

The Milliyet newspaper claimed on Monday that the military accused the soldier of "harming the state and the army's prestige for failing to resist" IS militants. If found guilty, he risks dismissal from the army.

In June, IS seized 49 Turks, including diplomats and their children, from the Turkish consulate in the Iraqi city of Mosul. Those hostages were released in September after more than three months in captivity.

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