Australian Women in Syrian Camps Offer Child Separation for Repatriation to Australia

Australian Mothers Make Difficult Concession for Children's Return

A group of 11 Australian women detained in the Kurdish-controlled al-Roj camp in northeast Syria, who are alleged to have ties to Islamic State (IS) fighters, have indicated they would accept separation from their 23 children if it would facilitate the children's return to Australia. This profound concession highlights the desperate conditions within the camps and the complex humanitarian and political challenges surrounding the repatriation of foreign nationals from Syria.

The women, who are wives and widows of suspected IS fighters, have been held in these camps since at least 2019 following the territorial defeat of the so-called IS caliphate. They expressed a desire for the Australian government to repatriate their children 'at any cost,' even if it means placing the children in the care of relatives in Australia while the mothers remain in detention.

Failed Repatriation Attempt and Government Stance

This development follows a recent, unsuccessful attempt to repatriate a group of 34 Australians, comprising the 11 women and 23 children. On Monday, February 16, 2026, the group was briefly released from al-Roj camp by Kurdish authorities and attempted to travel to Damascus with the aim of boarding flights to Australia. However, the convoy was turned back to the camp by Syrian authorities due to 'procedural problems' and a lack of proper coordination with the Syrian government.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has maintained a firm stance against assisting the repatriation of these individuals. He stated that the government would 'not be providing assistance or repatriation,' adding, 'My mother would have said, 'if you make your bed, you lie in it.' These are people who went overseas supporting Islamic State and went there to provide support for people who basically want a caliphate.' The Prime Minister also noted that if any individuals manage to return to Australia without government help, they could face the 'full force of the law' if any laws have been broken.

Dire Camp Conditions and Humanitarian Appeals

Conditions in camps like al-Roj and al-Hol are consistently described as 'squalid,' 'dire,' and 'life-threatening,' characterized by a lack of adequate food, water, and widespread violence. Humanitarian organizations, including Save the Children, have campaigned for the repatriation of Australians from these camps for years, citing the severe psychological impact on children. Reports indicate that the psychological state of the children, some as young as six, is regressing due to years of detention, with some experiencing 'horrific night terrors' and severe anxiety.

While the Australian government has previously facilitated two repatriation missions—one in 2019 for eight orphaned children and another in October 2022 for four women and 13 children—it has consistently stated it has no plans to repatriate the remaining group. Rights groups argue that the arbitrary detention of women and children in these conditions violates their rights and that, despite the discretionary nature of consular assistance under international law, UN human rights bodies suggest states have a duty to protect citizens in such exceptional circumstances.