Return of ISIS-Linked Women and Children to Australia
On Wednesday, Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed that 13 women and children connected to ISIS fighters are scheduled to fly back to Australia after being released from a Syrian POW camp.
Burke specified that this group would not receive any assistance from the Australian government, and some members might be arrested upon their arrival.
At a news conference, Burke emphasized, “These are individuals who made the dreadful decision to join a terrorist organization, subjecting their children to horrific conditions.” He further stated, “As we have mentioned, if any member of this group commits a crime, they can expect to face serious legal consequences.”
The four women involved are Australian citizens who moved to Syria to marry ISIS fighters during the group’s peak. After the collapse of the Islamic State, these women and their children were detained in camps operated by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Many governments, including Australia, seemed willing to leave ISIS affiliates in these camps indefinitely, but circumstances pushed them to reconsider.
Following a surprise offensive by rebel forces in December 2024, the Syrian government’s situation changed dramatically. The SDF, wary of the new president Ahmed al-Sharaa, began to retreat from several ISIS prisoner camps.
The Syrian government is not inclined to continue housing foreign ISIS members, which has prompted home nations to bring their citizens back. However, these nations have long been hesitant due to security concerns associated with ISIS members.
In February 2026, it was announced that Australia plans to repatriate 34 citizens associated with ISIS released from the Robb prison camp. The Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, suggested that some ISIS brides might be accepted into Australian prisons but ruled out their return to the country completely.
He affirmed the commitment to ensure that any criminal behavior would lead to full legal repercussions upon their return, stating, “The security of Australians and safeguarding our interests remain paramount.”
Burke reiterated this caution on Wednesday, informing the 13 family members about the legal implications they could face when returning to Australia.
Australian officials were notified of the group’s plans to come back soon after flights were booked from Syria. Despite some public dissent, Burke acknowledged there are “serious limits” to what the government can do to prevent Australians from returning home.
Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Chrissy Barrett mentioned that the agency had been preparing for such a scenario for years, investigating whether any returnees could be charged with crimes linked to terrorism or other serious offenses. She highlighted that illegal travel to combat zones in Syria was a significant issue.
She indicated that while some individuals may be arrested, the children would have access to community support programs and counter-violent extremism initiatives.
Meanwhile, Australian Security Intelligence Organization (ASIO) chief Mike Burgess stated that he wasn’t immediately worried about the arrival of the families but was prepared to act if they raised any red flags.
It was reported that some children accompanying the group might actually be grandchildren of ISIS brides. This group left Logi Camp recently; however, their journey back to Australia faced complexities.
According to a Syrian government official, they had been stuck in Damascus for two weeks awaiting approval for their return and were halted by statements from the Australian government during their previous attempt to leave.
This contradicted Burke’s claim that the Syrian government was responsible for their delayed departure.
A Syrian representative remarked that “the Australian government has final authority” concerning the matter and requested time to implement necessary procedures. Reports indicate that the women eventually left Damascus and were expected to land in Australia soon after.
The Syrian Ministry of Information stated that the families were still awaiting a resolution that could only be achieved with international cooperation.
It was anticipated that the group, including a woman and child, would arrive in New South Wales, where local police were preparing for their arrival.
In light of recent events, the Australian government indicated a tougher stance regarding returnees. Critics, including Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party Jane Hume, accused the government of failing to protect Australian interests.
Hume expressed concerns that Australians joining ISIS pose a direct challenge to the nation’s values while calling for transparency regarding the returnees and their eventual integration.
