Germany seeks to repatriate IS fighters held in Syria

Germany is considering bringing home suspected Islamic State fighters and their families currently being held by Kurdish forces in Syria, it has emerged.

The development will add to international pressure on the UK to repatriate Britons suspected of joining Islamic State, who are held under similar circumstances – including two members of the notorious ‘‘Beatles’’ execution cell.

‘‘The federal government is examining all options for a possible return of German nationals,’’ the foreign ministry in Berlin said yesterday in a written response to a parliamentary question.

At least 35 German citizens are believed to be among the prisoners – 14 of whom are under investigation as suspected IS fighters. They are thought to include Mohammed Haydar Zammar, who has been linked to a terror attack in New York last year in which a truck was driven into cyclists and runners, killing eight people.

Members of the ‘‘Lohberg Brigade’’, a group of German IS volunteers who circulated pictures of beheaded Kurdish fighters online, are also thought to be among the detainees.

It was not immediately clear what options Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is considering to repatriate the detainees.

Berlin currently has no diplomatic mission in Syria, and it is thought it may seek the help of the International Red Cross.

Kurdish forces say they cannot prosecute the prisoners or hold them indefinitely.