Erdogan Threatens to Release ISIS Militants

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has threatened to release militants from the Islamic State (ISIS) and deport them to Europe in response to EU sanctions regarding illegal drilling off the coast of Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters before his visit to the United States, Erdogan also stated that Turkey would continue to deport foreign ISIS militants back to their home countries, even if those countries refuse to accept them. “You need to reconsider your stance towards Turkey, which holds many ISIS members in prison and controls them in Syria,” Erdogan warned EU countries.

Just the day before, the EU had announced plans to impose sanctions on Turkey due to its illegal drilling off the coast of Cyprus. However, no sanctions have yet been imposed on any Turkish officials, companies, or individuals.