ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned European nations that his country could release Islamic State group prisoners and send them back to Europe, in response to EU sanctions over Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters Tuesday before a visit to the United States, Erdogan also said Turkey would continue repatriating foreign Islamic State militants to their home countries, even if they decline to take them back.

Erdogan's comments were in response to the EU's unveiling on Monday of a system for imposing sanctions on Turkey over its unauthorized gas drilling in Mediterranean waters off Cyprus.

Erdogan warned EU countries: "You should revise your stance toward Turkey, which holds so many IS members in prison and controls them in Syria."