Turkey has deported an American member of the Islamic State (Isil) back to the US and will soon start sending back Europeans, the Turkish government said Monday, as it began carrying out its pledge to send foreign jihadists home.

The Turkish interior ministry refused to say whether it had any immediate plans to send back British Isil suspects but Turkey has complained in the past that the UK is refusing to repatriate its citizens.

So far one unnamed American jihadist has been sent back to the US and seven Germans will be deported on Thursday, said Ismail Catakli, a spokesman for the interior ministry.

"One American foreign terrorist fighter was deported from Turkey after completing the procedures," he said. "The travel programme of seven foreign terrorist fighters of German origin was completed at the repatriation centres. They will be deported on November 14.”

Mr Catakli said proceedings were under way to deport 11 French citizens captured in Syria. He also said foreign fighters from Ireland, Germany and Denmark were being prepared for deportation.