Australian families linked to IS depart Syrian al-Roj camp as government refuses repatriation

On 24 April 2026, four Australian women and nine of their children and grandchildren departed al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria. Syrian interior forces escorted them to Damascus, where they will remain about 72 hours before “deportation under security procedures.” The move was coordinated by camp director Hakmiyeh Ibrahim and Syrian authorities.

The GuardianAssociated PressThe Sydney Morning HeraldThe Straits Times

Al-Roj, run by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, houses wives, widows and children of former IS fighters since the group’s 2019 defeat. Overcrowding and disease outbreaks have been reported. The United States calls the camps “incubators for radicalisation.” Australia repatriated eight children in 2019 and four women with 13 children in 2022; no further citizens have returned.

The Guardian

• 24 April 2026 – four women and nine children leave al-Roj.

The Guardian

• February 2026 – 11 families (34 women/children) turned back after two hours for lacking Syrian coordination.

Associated Press

• 2019 – eight children repatriated.

The Guardian

• 2022 – four women and 13 children repatriated.

The Guardian

• One woman is under a two-year temporary exclusion order.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Australian officials say they will not repatriate the cohort and will prosecute any returnee who has committed a crime. A spokesperson said returnees will face the full force of the law. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke cited a legal duty to issue passports. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese added, “You make your bed, you lie in it,” and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government is not participating in repatriation.

L'Orient-Le Jour

Opposition figures argue the government has not vetted the group and demand security assurances before any return. Jonno Duniam said efforts should prevent their return without guarantees they pose no national-security risk. Critics also note the humanitarian plight of children in overcrowded, disease-prone camps.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Camp officials said the departure was “perfectly coordinated.” Witnesses saw police vehicles escort the families to the Syrian interior forces’ convoy. The camp still faces dysentery, influenza and occasional IS-linked incursions.

Associated Press

AP says the next step is “deportation under security procedures,” while the Guardian reports the families will be “flown back to Australia.” The status of the temporary exclusion order and whether Australia has fulfilled its passport-issuance duty remain unclear.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “The Australian government is not and will not repatriate people from Syria.” — Government spokesperson

L'Orient-Le Jour

• “You make your bed, you lie in it.” — Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “We can confirm that today the coordination was perfect.” — Hakmiyeh Ibrahim, al-Roj camp director

• “The government is not participating in the repatriation of people in this circumstance.” — Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

The families will stay in Damascus for three days before Syrian authorities process them under security procedures. Australian officials have signaled no further involvement, while opposition leaders press for a security review. The United States and allies continue to urge resolution of detainee status in north-eastern Syria.

Associated Press