Australia Refuses to Repatriate ISIS-Linked Citizens as Escape from Syrian Camp Fails

Australia has firmly rejected calls to repatriate citizens linked to the Islamic State, as 34 women and children were turned back in a failed attempt to leave Al-Roj detention camp in northeastern Syria. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio: “If you make your bed, you lie in it,” emphasizing that the government will provide no support for those who joined or associated with ISIS.

The group had left the camp with the aim of reaching Australia via Damascus, but Syrian authorities reportedly returned them despite holding temporary Australian passports. Officials at the camp expressed confusion over the reversal, highlighting the complexities of repatriation amid the collapse of Syria’s long-time regime.

Background: Australians in ISIS Camps

Since the fall of the so-called Caliphate, thousands of foreign nationals—primarily women and children—have been trapped in camps run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Amnesty International and other NGOs have reported widespread human rights abuses, including torture, forced disappearances, and gender-based violence.

Australia has previously repatriated groups of women and children with ISIS links in 2019 and 2022. However, Prime Minister Albanese reiterated that citizens who traveled to Syria to join ISIS will face prosecution if they return, reflecting ongoing national security concerns and domestic opposition.

Legal and Humanitarian Challenges

The failed escape attempt comes amid calls from the UN and international human rights organizations for countries to safely repatriate, rehabilitate, and reintegrate foreign nationals held in Syrian detention camps. Save the Children Australia has repeatedly urged the government to prioritize the welfare of innocent children trapped in these camps. CEO Mat Tinkler said:

“These innocent children have already lost years of their childhood and deserve the chance to rebuild their lives in safety at home.”

Regional Instability Complicates Returns

The 2024 collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government has further destabilized northern Syria, with the new Syrian administration attempting to push out the SDF from major detention sites. Meanwhile, the US has transferred thousands of adult male ISIS fighters to Iraqi custody, raising concerns over due process and prisoner treatment.

As Australia maintains its hardline stance, the fate of its citizens in camps like Al-Roj remains uncertain, leaving families in limbo and fueling ongoing international debate over security, justice, and humanitarian responsibility.