Australian Citizen Banned from Entry After Syrian Camp Escape Attempt

A group of 34 Australians, including children, tried to leave a camp in Syria to come home. The government says they will not help and banned one person for 2 years.
By Newsroom | Politics, Australia |

A group of 34 Australian women and children, linked to Islamic State, recently tried to leave a camp in Syria and return home. This effort was stopped by Syrian authorities. Following this event, the Australian government issued a temporary ban against one specific adult in the group, preventing their entry into Australia. This decision highlights ongoing debate about national security risks versus the rights of citizens and children involved in such situations.

The group, including 11 families, had been living in the Al-Roj refugee camp in north-eastern Syria for over six years. The children in the group either travelled to Syria with their parents or were born in the camp. Their recent attempt to travel from the camp to the capital, Damascus, aiming to return to Australia, was blocked shortly after it began. Syrian government authorities did not allow the group to continue, forcing them to turn back to the camp.

Recent Events and Government Action

Published reports confirm that a group of 34 Australian women and children from 11 families tried to leave the Al-Roj camp in Syria.

  • This attempt happened earlier in the week, with reports emerging around February 16, 2026.

  • The plan was to travel from Roj camp to Damascus, and then to Australia.

  • Camp officials, including Rashid Omar and Ibrahim, stated that male relatives of the families had arrived at the camp with temporary Australian passports, coordinating with Syrian authorities for the transfer.

  • However, Syrian authorities stopped the group, making them return to the camp.

Following this failed attempt, Australia's Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed a Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO) was placed on one individual.

  • This order stops the Australian citizen from entering the country for up to two years.

  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated his government would not help the group return, saying, "If you make your bed, you lie in it."

  • Cabinet Minister Amanda Rishworth supported the Prime Minister's view.

  • The Department of Home Affairs confirmed the TEO was issued against a person with "alleged ties to Islamic State."

Attempted Repatriation and Blockade

The group of 34 individuals, including women and children, left the Roj camp in northern Syria.

  • Their travel goal was to reach Damascus to then make their way to Australia.

  • This movement was not supported by the Australian government.

  • Syrian government authorities stopped their travel.

  • The reason for the Syrian authorities' decision to turn them back has not been fully clarified in reports.

  • Camp officials mentioned that relatives from Australia were coordinating with Syrian authorities for this transfer, and temporary Australian passports were presented.

Government Stance and Policy

The Australian government has made clear its position on assisting Australians linked to Islamic State in Syria.

  • Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that the government would not provide help for the group to return.

  • Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed the use of a Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO) against one individual.

  • A TEO is a legal tool under counter-terror laws that allows the Minister to stop someone outside Australia from entering for up to two years.

  • This specific TEO applies to an Australian citizen with alleged links to Islamic State.

  • A government spokesperson noted that security agencies are "monitoring the situation in Syria" to prepare for any Australians trying to return.

Different views exist regarding Australia's duty to its citizens and the risks involved.

  • Legal experts have warned that Australia has an obligation to let its citizens return home.

  • They argue that leaving these individuals in Syria might make them more likely to become radicalized.

  • A question was raised: "These ISIS Brides all travelled to the same 'declared area' for the same reason of supporting the same listed terrorist organisation — how can only one member of this group be deemed a risk and the rest somehow OK?"

  • The Opposition has called for TEOs to be applied more widely, suggesting a two-year ban for these individuals to block their return due to perceived risk.

  • Senator Jonno Duniam from the Liberal party asked the government to "do everything to prevent these people from re-entering Australia while they present a risk."

  • Despite the government's stance, Anthony Albanese acknowledged in October 2025 that Australian citizens "of course, have the right to enter Australia."

  • Tony Burke noted that "Australian law applies and there are obligations that Australian officials have," while also stating that "if there are any breaches of the law then they will face the full force of the Australian law.”

Past Returns

There have been instances of Australians returning from Syria without government help.

  • Last year, a group of six women and children returned to Australia.

  • They made their way back through Lebanon after getting passports from Australia's embassy in Beirut.

  • This return happened without support from Australian authorities.

  • Separately, in October 2025, two Australian women and four children also left a Syrian camp and returned home via Lebanon on their own.

Expert Analysis

Legal experts point to Australia's duty to its citizens under international law.

  • They warn that not bringing citizens home could lead to a greater risk of radicalization for those left in Syria.

  • The use of a Temporary Exclusion Order on one person raises questions about the risk assessment process, especially when a larger group with similar reported backgrounds is involved.

  • Some observe that the government's refusal to help repatriation does not always stop people from returning, as shown by previous cases where individuals found their own way back to Australia.

Conclusion

The recent attempt by 34 Australian women and children to leave a Syrian camp and return home was stopped by Syrian authorities. Following this, the Australian government issued a Temporary Exclusion Order against one person in the group due to alleged links with Islamic State. The government has stated it will not help this group return, citing national security concerns. However, legal experts warn about Australia's obligations to its citizens and the risks of leaving them in Syria. Previous cases show that Australians have returned from Syria without government help. The situation continues to be monitored by Australian security agencies, with the government indicating that any legal breaches will face full Australian law. The current status of the 33 other individuals from the group remains at the camp.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the Australian government ban a citizen from returning from Syria in February 2026?
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke issued a Temporary Exclusion Order against one person with alleged ties to Islamic State. This order stops the person from entering Australia for up to two years to protect national security.
Q: What happened to the 34 Australians trying to leave the Al-Roj camp?
A group of 11 families, including women and children, tried to travel from the Al-Roj camp to Damascus to return home. Syrian authorities stopped their travel and forced them to go back to the camp.
Q: Will the Australian government help the families in the Syrian camps return home?
No, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated the government will not provide help for the group to return. He said that people who chose to go to these areas must live with the results of their choices.
Q: How long is the entry ban for the Australian citizen linked to Islamic State?
The Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO) lasts for up to two years. During this time, the person cannot enter Australia unless they follow specific rules set by the government.
Q: Have other Australians returned from Syrian camps before this event?
Yes, in October 2025, two women and four children returned to Australia on their own. Another group of six people also returned last year by getting passports from the Australian embassy in Lebanon without government help.