Turkish Nurse: 'I Am Sick of Treating Wounded ISIL Militants'

A nurse in Turkey told authorities she is tired of treating members from the Islamic State. The nurse, only known as E.G., works in a hospital in Mersin, which is on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea and across the ocean from Syria.

“We treat them, and they go on to decapitate people,” she said. “I am sick of treating wounded ISIL militants.”

The private hospital receives numerous Syrians since the civil war began three years ago. But E.G. is alarmed at the rise of wounded Islamic State terrorists transported to her hospital, especially since the group still has over 48 Turkish nationals, including women and children, as hostages. The jihadists captured the nationals from the Turkish consulate in Mosul, Iraq, on June 11.

“I was extremely distressed about this,” she said. “I am very sorry about this situation. I am disturbed by the fact that these people are being treated in our hospitals while our people are being held by them.”

The men check in under fake names, including one of the leaders.

“The ISIL commander named Muhammet Ali R. who was admitted to our hospital on Aug. 7 was treated at room number 323,” she stated, adding:

Many of his bodyguards kept watch around the hospital. Many other ISIL commanders like him and soldiers have been treated at our hospital, and returned to war after the completion of their treatment. I don’t want to help these people. I want you to inspect these hospitals. And I am referring the owners of the hospital and its management to God.

At a NATO summit in Wales, Turkey promised to help fight the Islamic State. But a week later, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the country will not “take part in combat operations.” Erdogan told Obama the United States cannot “use air bases in Turkey for missions.” An anonymous source told AFP that Turkey’s “hands and arms are tied because of the hostages.”

But other evidence shows Turkey’s decision might not be based solely on the hostages. The country has been connected to the Islamic State since the group rose to prominence in 2013. One Islamic fighter said the NATO country funds the group and the Islamic State would not be where it is now were it not for Turkey’s support. Turkey pledged allegiance to the Syrian rebels against President Bashar al-Assad and refused to secure its border with Syria. Many Westerners sneak into Syria through Turkey’s borders. CNN even did a feature on the jihadist secret route. Turkey has the most nationals in the Islamic State, outside of Arab countries.