Four Australian women and nine children from families linked to Islamic State fighters are returning to Australia from Syria this week, with the government and federal police warning of a hardline response. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the group has begun their journey home after more than a decade of planning by a joint ASIO and Australian Federal Police counter-terrorism taskforce.
Details of the Return
The group, consisting of four women and nine children and grandchildren, left the Al-Roj detention camp in northeast Syria. They are expected to arrive in Australia via flights from Doha on Thursday. The government insists it has provided no assistance to these individuals, who were among 34 Australian women and children stranded in the camp since the collapse of the Islamic State caliphate.
Legal and Security Measures
Australian citizens cannot be prevented from returning unless a formal exclusion order is issued. Burke has issued one such order for a different woman based on national security advice, but none of the returning group are affected. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the group will receive no help from the government. AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett said some adults may face arrest and charges upon arrival, while children will undergo an anti-extremist program and receive psychological support.
Background of the Families
The cohort includes children born in detention camps, a woman formerly married to a notorious IS recruiter, and others claiming they traveled to Syria for aid work. Eleven members belong to one family: Kawsar Abbas, her daughters Zeinab and Zahra, and eight other children and grandchildren, expected to settle in Melbourne. The other two, Janai Safar and her child, are expected to settle in Sydney.
Allegations and Denials
Abbas’s husband, Mohammad Ahmad, traveled to Syria in 2012 for aid work but is suspected by the AFP of using a charity to support IS. He denied these allegations in a 2019 interview from a Syrian prison. In 2023, he also denied accusations from Yazidi women of abuse. The family claims they were trapped in Syria after attending a wedding in 2014. Seven extended family members died during fighting in Syria and Iraq.
Government and Opposition Reactions
Burke reiterated that any returning individuals who committed crimes will face the full force of the law. Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonathon Duniam criticized the government for allowing the return, questioning the national interest. The group’s return follows a failed attempt in February, when a larger cohort was turned back by Syrian authorities. The US has pressured countries to repatriate citizens, but the issue remains politically sensitive in Australia.
