NEW
YORK: Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan has indicated that his
country may have traded Islamic State group prisoners it held captive in
exchange for 49 Turkish hostages held by the militants.
Asked about it in New York on Monday, Erdogan said "such things may be possible". He said Israel released 1,500 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli hostage.
The hostages were returned to Turkey on Saturday after more than three months in the hands of the Islamic State group. The hostages were seized in Mosul, Iraq, when militants overran the city.
Turkish government officials have not revealed how they managed to secure the release of the captives. Erdogan denied paying a ransom but has been vague on whether there was a prisoner swap.
Erdogan spoke at the council of foreign relations in New York.
Asked about it in New York on Monday, Erdogan said "such things may be possible". He said Israel released 1,500 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli hostage.
The hostages were returned to Turkey on Saturday after more than three months in the hands of the Islamic State group. The hostages were seized in Mosul, Iraq, when militants overran the city.
Turkish government officials have not revealed how they managed to secure the release of the captives. Erdogan denied paying a ransom but has been vague on whether there was a prisoner swap.
Erdogan spoke at the council of foreign relations in New York.
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