A second group of Australian women and children with alleged links to ISIS left former SDF-run detention camps in northeastern Syria, marking what could become the final large-scale repatriation of Australian nationals held in the region for years.
Australia’s ABC News reported that seven women and 14 children departed the notorious Roj camp on May 21 under the protection of a convoy escorted by Syrian government officials. The group later arrived in Damascus, according to ABC, though Australian authorities have not confirmed when or whether all members will travel onward to Australia.
The women and children had spent years inside camps housing families of former ISIS fighters after the collapse of the group’s territorial control in Syria. Most of the children were either taken to Syria at a young age or born there during the conflict.
ABC reported that the latest convoy may include all remaining Australian nationals previously held at Roj camp in Hasakah province. The departure represents the fifth known repatriation effort involving Australians from Syrian camps since 2019 and follows on the heels of a group that returned to Australia early this month.
Canberra Maintains Hardline Position
Australian officials continue distancing themselves from the operation despite acknowledging that Australian citizens retain the legal right to return home. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said earlier this month that the government “is not and will not assist these individuals,” while also recognizing legal limitations on preventing citizens from reentering the country.
Officials emphasized returnees who committed crimes would face prosecution immediately upon arrival. Cabinet Minister Tanya Plibersek told ABC the latest group would face “the same consequences as the first group.” Federal police arrested three women upon their arrival in Melbourne and Sydney.
Police charged Kawthar Ahmed, 54, and her daughter Zainab Ahmed, 31, with slavery offenses and crimes against humanity related to alleged conduct in Syria. Authorities also charged another returnee, Janay Safar, with joining a terrorist organization and traveling to a declared conflict zone.
Australian Federal Police Commissioner Chrissy Barrett said investigators gathered evidence inside Syria determining whether returnees committed offenses including support for terrorism, human trafficking or travel to prohibited areas. Officials warned additional arrests and prosecutions may follow future returns.
Humanitarian Debate Continues
The repatriation process has reignited debate inside Australia over security risks, legal obligations and humanitarian concerns surrounding citizens detained in Syrian camps. Western Sydney doctor Jamal Rifi, who helped coordinate the latest departures, told ABC that humanitarian groups, lawyers and Syrian officials facilitated the operation without direct Australian government support. “If the government decided to do it or provide some help, it would have been a lot easier,” Rifi said. “We had to do it ourselves.”
Rifi argued that leaving children inside the camps posed a greater long-term security concern as many remained exposed to extremist influences and instability. He said Australian authorities eventually would face the issue regardless of when the children returned.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor criticized the repatriation efforts, arguing the government should prevent individuals associated with ISIS from returning. However, legal experts said authorities lack legal grounds to permanently block citizens from reentering the country.
The US has repeatedly urged countries to repatriate nationals detained in camps such as Roj and Hawl, where thousands of foreign women and children remain. Washington argues prolonged detention without resolution increases humanitarian and security risks across the region.
While uncertainty remains over when the latest group may arrive in Australia, the departures signal continued international efforts to reduce the population of detention camps established after the territorial defeat of the ISIS in Syria.
