Two Australian women and four children have successfully escaped a detention facility in Syria and journeyed independently back to Victoria, while demands increase on the Australian government to bring back its citizens.
Their Route to Freedom
The two women and four children – whose names and ages are not being disclosed – fled the infamous Al-Hol camp in north-east Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to enter Lebanon, where they secured Australian documents in Beirut.
They were subjected to identification and security checks in the Lebanese capital, before flying to Australia by a regular airline last week.
Australian Nationals Held in Syria
There are approximately forty Australian nationals – the majority being minors – held in detention camps in north Syria. They are the wives, widows and children of deceased or imprisoned IS fighters.
Roughly thirty-four Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp near the border with Turkey, most since 2019. Some of the children were born in the camp, and have never experienced life beyond its confines. A smaller number of Australian citizens are understood to have been held in the Al-Hol detention camp closer to Iraq.
Not a single detainee has, currently, been charged with a crime or faces a warrant for arrest.
Risks of Independent Escape
Informed sources say the informal and ad hoc escape to Beirut put the children at risk and that the women had been arrested in the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are much more secure, allowing for assistance programs to be established for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in Australia to be prepared for the returns.
Camp Conditions
The situation in Syrian detention facilities are extremely poor, with extensive malnutrition, illness and violent incidents. A recent report described a “volatile security” situation and a “public health crisis”.
“Facilities in the camps are limited and overstretched and shelters inadequate, with natural disasters making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience serious psychological trauma and mental health problems and psychological treatment is inadequate. Numerous minors in the camp have no relatives, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”
Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. Al-Hol camp, holding 30,000 people – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as particularly chaotic and violent.
Official Return Operations
For years, the national government has been under increasing pressure from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to repatriate its citizens. The authorities have conducted two small-scale return operations: in 2019, eight orphaned children, including a expectant teen, were repatriated to NSW, and in October 2022, four females and thirteen children were brought back, also to NSW.
A legal action in federal court to compel the government to return its citizens failed, with the court finding there was no legal obligation on the government.
However, the judicial panel did find: “if the commonwealth has the political will to bring the … women and children back to Australia, based on available information, it would be a fairly simple process”.
Global Perspective
The United States, which provides most security funding across northeastern Syria, urges nations such as Australia to take their citizens back, and is even offering to help repatriate third-country nationals.
A report to Congress argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is repatriation. This explains why the US urges all countries to repatriate their nationals from northeastern Syria.”
Official Statements
An Australian government spokesperson said Syria was becoming “more volatile”.
“The government is not providing assistance and is not conducting repatriations in Syrian displaced persons camps.
“If any of those people find their own way to return, our security agencies are satisfied that they are prepared and will be able to act in the interests of community safety.”
The representative said national authorities had “been monitoring these individuals for some time”.
“We trust our institutions.
“Our travel advice still recommend citizens avoid travel to Syria due to the hazardous conditions and threat of armed conflict.”
State Police Preparedness
A Victoria Police spokesperson said police were aware nationals in Syrian facilities may attempt to come back.
“When necessary, Victoria Police collaborates with state and federal agencies to assist with the reintegration of women and children who come back to the state from camps in Syria.”
