Turkey has been in talks with the Iraqi government for the return of Turkish women and children whose husbands and fathers were Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists, the Gazete Duvar news website reported, citing Turkish Foreign Ministry sources.
According to the report, at least 400 women and 280 children have been living in refugee camps or prisons inside Iraqi territory, while nearly 250 children were brought back to Turkey and are currently undergoing psychological treatment.
Iraqi officials might let Turkish women and children return to Turkey, but they are not eager to hand over some 300 Turkish male ISIL militants to Ankara, the report said.
When an ISIL captive in a refugee camp or prison declares that his or her nationality is Turkish, officials from Ankara are notified and they launch an investigation to verify the identity.
For children, Turkish authorities employ DNA tests if the identities of their fathers or mothers are verified.