13 Australians with alleged IS ties return from Syria

Thirteen Australian citizens, including women and children, have returned to Australia after being held in Syrian detention camps for seven years.
By Newsroom | Immigration, National Security |

Thirteen Australian citizens, including women and children with alleged ties to the Islamic State (IS) group, have returned to Australia after years in Syrian detention camps. The group arrived late on Thursday afternoon, with flights touching down in both Melbourne and Sydney. Authorities confirmed that some individuals are expected to face arrest and criminal charges upon arrival, while others will remain under investigation.

Arrivals and Immediate Actions

A group of three women and eight children, reportedly comprising a grandmother, her adult daughters, and their offspring, landed in Melbourne. Shortly after, a separate arrival saw another woman and her child arrive in Sydney. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the government was made aware of the group's imminent return only after their travel tickets were booked. Australian Federal Police have indicated that arrests are anticipated, with Commissioner Krissy Barratt confirming police presence at the airports.

Read More: 13 Australians from ISIS Camp Arrive Thursday, Face Arrest

Background of Detention and Repatriation

The returning individuals had been held in Syrian refugee camps for approximately seven years, having allegedly joined the IS group during its territorial control. The current group of 13 is part of a larger cohort of 34 Australian women and children believed to be held in camps like Al-Roj. Efforts to secure their return have been ongoing, with advocacy from organizations like Australia's Human Rights Commission and Save the Children Australia, which has emphasized the need to prioritize the welfare of the children involved.

The government has stated that the returning individuals will not receive direct assistance and that their repatriation was not facilitated by official channels. Some reports indicate that Australian passports were secured by the group to facilitate their travel. This repatriation follows previous instances of Australian citizens being brought back from Syrian detention facilities. Several other nations, including France, the Netherlands, and the UK, have also faced decisions regarding the repatriation of their citizens from similar camps.

Read More: ISIS Women and Children Return to Australia, Face Arrests

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did 13 Australian citizens return from Syria?
Thirteen Australian citizens, including women and children with alleged ties to the IS group, returned to Australia after being held in Syrian detention camps for about seven years.
Q: When did these Australians arrive back in Australia?
The group arrived back in Australia late on Thursday afternoon, with flights landing in both Melbourne and Sydney.
Q: What will happen to the Australians who returned from Syria?
Authorities confirmed that some individuals are expected to face arrest and criminal charges upon arrival, while others will remain under investigation.
Q: Did the Australian government help these people return?
The government stated that the returning individuals will not receive direct assistance and their return was not officially facilitated, though some reports suggest they obtained Australian passports.
Q: How long were these individuals in Syrian camps?
The returning individuals had been held in Syrian refugee camps for approximately seven years, having allegedly joined the IS group during its territorial control.