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Seven Australian women and 12 children linked to ISIS have booked flights to return from Syria
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that seven Australian women and 12 children with links to Islamic State have left the Al-Rajj detention camp in Syria and booked flights to return to Australia. Some adults could face arrest on arrival, as three women from a previous group were charged by federal police earlier this month.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has confirmed that seven Australian women and 12 children with links to the Islamic State terrorist group have left the Al-Rajj detention camp in Syria and booked flights to return to Australia. Most are expected to arrive in Melbourne, with the rest expected to travel to Sydney.
The confirmation follows the recent return of a separate group of ISIS-linked women and children who arrived back in Australia earlier this month. Of the four women in that group, three were arrested and charged by the Australian Federal Police upon arrival, setting a precedent for how returnees may be treated.
In his statement, Minister Burke warned that some of the adults in this latest group could face the same fate if they are found to have engaged in criminal conduct. Australia's law enforcement agencies have been preparing for their return and are well-equipped to manage and monitor them onshore, he said.
The government has consistently maintained that it is not providing any assistance to Australians with links to the Islamic State. However, officials acknowledge they are in a difficult position, as these individuals are Australian citizens with valid passports, and there is limited legal basis to prevent their return.
The return of ISIS-linked nationals remains a sensitive political issue in Australia. Security agencies will monitor the returnees closely, while child welfare services will likely be involved in assessing the wellbeing of the 12 children, many of whom were born in or spent formative years in conflict zones.