Four Australian women and nine children with alleged links to Islamic State have returned to Australia from Syrian camps, arriving in Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday evening. Some of the women were immediately arrested by police upon landing.
Government Response and Condemnation
The Australian government confirmed the repatriation but stated that the returnees would receive no state assistance. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke condemned their past actions, emphasizing the severity of their involvement with the terrorist organization. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also criticized the returnees, highlighting what he described as their “horrific choice” to join Islamic State.
Previous Repatriations and Remaining Australians
This operation follows a similar repatriation in 2022. According to official sources, approximately 21 Australian citizens are believed to remain in the al-Roj camp in Syria. The government has not disclosed details about future repatriation efforts.
The women and children were held in camps in northeastern Syria, which house thousands of individuals linked to Islamic State. Australia has faced pressure from international partners to repatriate its citizens, balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations.
