Germany and the Netherlands agreed to accept ISIS prisoners, according to Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

"I would like to especially thank Germany and the Netherlands. Last night they confirmed they will accept Islamic State (IS) terrorists who claim to be citizens of their country and their wives and children," Mr. Soylu said in Van province today.

Turkey deported its citizens of the United States, Denmark and Germany on November 11 and plans to repatriate seven other German citizens, along with two Irish and 11 French. Last week, the Erdogan government said about 1,200 IS rebels were detained in Turkish prisons and 287 terrorist group members were arrested during the Ankara military campaign launched in Syria last month.

French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on November 12 that France would receive 11 IS fighters from Turkey. Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney also said that the two citizens deported from Turkey have the right to return to Ireland.

The Turkish government has frequently called on European countries to accept IS fighters as its citizens, but many governments are reluctant because of security concerns and public backlash.