Turkey says its government is preparing draft legislation to reduce the number of abortions, days after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan compared the practice to “murder.”

Officials said Tuesday the measure will be enacted into law.

Mr. Erdogan attacked abortion last week in comments during the opening ceremony of a hospital in Istanbul. He said there is no difference whether a baby is killed in its mother's stomach or after birth. He also criticized caesarean births.

His remarks sparked outrage among women's groups, opposition lawmakers and media critics, who have expressed concern about the the Islamic-rooted government's plans to restrict abortions.

Abortion is legal in Turkey up to 10 weeks after conception.