More Australian Women and Children Leave Syrian IS Camp

Darwin, 22 May: Another group of Australian women and children has departed from the al-Roj camp for families of jailed and deceased Islamic State fighters in northeastern Syria. The ABC has observed the group leaving the camp on Thursday afternoon, traveling in a convoy escorted by Syrian government officials.

The group is believed to be heading to the Syrian capital, Damascus, before continuing their journey back to Australia. The exact timing of their onward travel remains unclear.

Earlier Repatriations

Earlier this month, four women and nine children returned to Australia after spending years in harsh conditions at the camp. Upon arrival in Melbourne and Sydney, three of the women were arrested by the Australian Federal Police. Two face charges related to slavery offenses, while another is charged with joining a terrorist organization and traveling to a declared terrorist area. All remain in custody.

Remaining Australians in al-Roj

Following this latest departure, seven women and 14 children remain in the Kurdish-controlled camp. One woman has been issued a Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO), barring her from traveling to Australia for up to two years on national security grounds.

It is believed the group that left on Thursday included all remaining Australians, though camp officials have declined to comment on the departure.

Tensions Between Authorities

The fate of the Australians in al-Roj has been a source of tension between the Syrian government, which seeks progress in clearing IS camps, and Kurdish authorities who control the camp and surrounding areas.

While the Australian government has consistently stated it is not assisting in their return, it has provided travel documents earlier this year, acknowledging there is little it can do to prevent them from attempting to return home.

Political and Legal Reactions

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized the women for traveling to Syria at the height of the so-called Islamic State’s caliphate efforts. Some of the women claim they were coerced or misled into going to Syria.

The federal opposition has urged the government to take stronger measures to prevent their return, citing public safety concerns. However, legal experts note that as Australian citizens, there is no legal basis to prevent them from traveling home.