Australian Man Trafficked as Child Faces Uncertain Fate in Iraqi Prison System
Yusuf Zahab, a young Australian man, is believed to be detained within Iraq's opaque prison system, approximately 460 kilometers from where his mother and sister remain trapped in the al-Roj detention camp in Syria. Zahab was trafficked into Islamic State territory at around the age of 12 and has never been charged with a crime or faced a court. His situation is described as "vague and chaotic" by those attempting to assist him.
Separation and Suffering in Syrian Prisons
During the reign of IS's so-called caliphate, Zahab was a child and never a combatant. After the fall of Baghuz in 2019, he was separated from his mother and spent subsequent years in Syrian prisons, where he survived bombings, beatings, and tuberculosis. This month, he was transferred to Iraq, adding to the uncertainty of his future. Meanwhile, his relatives in al-Roj camp face their own bleak circumstances, with the Greens and human rights groups urging the Australian government to stop treating detained children as "disposable political pawns."
Political Pressure and Repatriation Efforts
The plight of Australian families in Syrian camps has sparked political controversy at home. After the federal government repatriated four women and 13 children in 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated they would not assist the latest cohort. Albanese has expressed sympathy for the children but contempt for their parents, refusing to discuss hypotheticals about repatriating only the children. The government cannot prevent citizens from returning except through temporary exclusion orders, one of which has been issued to an Australian woman in the camp.
Humanitarian Concerns and Security Challenges
Dr. Jamal Rifi, a Sydney doctor aiding repatriation efforts, reported that the women and children in al-Roj camp are "devastated, heartbroken, and very disappointed" after a failed attempt to return to Australia. The shifting security situation in northeast Syria, with Kurdish forces ceding territory to the Syrian government, complicates further attempts. Rifi noted that planning is difficult due to rapid changes and concerns about safety from IS-related attacks. The Syrian Democratic Forces intend to close al-Roj camp, hoping for a peaceful transition unlike the chaotic events at al-Hawl camp.
Fate of Male Prisoners in Iraq
With the US Central Command transferring over 5,700 male prisoners from Syrian jails to Iraqi custody, Zahab is believed to be held alongside suspected Australian IS fighters. Lawyers for French nationals allege inmates in Iraq face "torture and inhumane treatment," including beatings and threats of sexual assault. Iraq has a history of executing terrorism convicts by hanging, and at least one Australian has previously been sentenced to death for IS membership. The Iraqi embassy in Canberra did not respond to requests for comment, leaving families in the dark about their loved ones' fates.
Call for Action and Human Rights
Human rights groups continue to plead for the Australian government to assist in repatriating citizens, emphasizing that children in the camps have never seen houses or animals like baby cows and donkeys. The Greens' David Shoebridge criticized politicians for using children as political tools, urging a return to orderly processes that worked in 2019 and 2022. As the situation remains fluid, the international community watches closely, advocating for the protection of all Australians, regardless of their circumstances.
