Australia to repatriate families linked to alleged ISIS members

A group of 13 Australians, including women and children linked to alleged Islamic State militants, is being repatriated from Syria, Australian authorities confirmed on Wednesday. Officials warned that some of the adults could face arrest upon arrival.

The group—comprising four women and nine children—had been living in the Roj camp in northeastern Syria for several years following the territorial collapse of the Islamic State in 2019. They are expected to arrive at airports in Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday, according to local media reports.

Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said authorities were alerted on the same day the group’s travel arrangements were confirmed. He stressed that the government did not assist, and would not assist, in their return.

“These individuals made an appalling and disgraceful decision,” Burke said. He added that if any of them are found to have committed crimes, they will face prosecution “without exception” under Australian law.

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Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett said investigations are ongoing into whether members of the group violated Australian laws, including offences related to travelling to a declared conflict zone and possible involvement in slavery-related crimes. She confirmed that some individuals are expected to be arrested and charged, though timing has not been disclosed.

Barrett added that others will remain under active investigation. She also said that returning children will be placed in support and rehabilitation programmes, including community integration, counselling, and counter-extremism services.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the decision to join a militant organisation as “horrific” and said it placed children in extremely dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have urged the government to manage repatriations carefully, noting that Australians have previously been returned from Syrian camps in recent years.

Authorities estimate that around 2,000 foreign women and children remain in camps like Roj, holding connections to former Islamic State territories after the group’s defeat.