Full Breakdown
Australian Returnees Linked to Islamic State Face New Charges Amid Ongoing Investigations
5/28/2026, 9:47:25 PM
Return of IS-linked Women and Children
On 26 May 2026 two flights repatriated Australian women and children who had been detained in the al-Roj (also known as al-Hol) displacement camp in north-east Syria. Two women with seven children landed at Melbourne Airport; four women with six children arrived at Sydney Airport. The cohort is described by authorities as the last Australians remaining in the camp after earlier returns of 13 people (four women and nine children) on 7 May and a separate group of seven women and twelve children in mid-May.
Background & Context
Australian citizens began travelling to Syria between 2013 and 2014, often to join spouses or partners affiliated with the Islamic State (IS). Following the territorial defeat of IS in 2019, many were captured by Kurdish forces and transferred to al-Roj/ al-Hol camps. Australia’s counter-terrorism legislation made travel to the former IS stronghold of Raqqa illegal from 2014 to 2017, and temporary exclusion orders (TEOs) were introduced in 2019 to bar certain returnees.
Key Individuals and Legal Actions
- Rayann El Houli (34) – charged in Melbourne with entering a declared conflict zone and being a member of IS; bail hearing scheduled for 28 May.
- Janai Safar (32) – charged in Sydney with the same offences after arriving with her nine-year-old son on 7 May.
- Kawsar Ahmed (also known as Kawsar Abbas) and daughter Zeinab Ahmed – charged in Melbourne on 8 May with slavery-related offences linked to a alleged $10,000 Yazidi slave purchase.
- Hodan Abby – subject to a TEO preventing her return; the order remains in force until February 2028.
Data & Statistics
- Reported numbers of returnees vary: 19 women and 12 children (Home Affairs statements) versus 6 women and 13 children (airport arrival reports).
- Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
- Eight separate joint counter-terrorism investigations are active, according to AFP Commissioner Krissy Barrett.
Why It Matters
The cases test Australia’s ability to enforce national-security laws while safeguarding the rights of children born abroad. They also expose the limits of government control over citizens’ overseas movements and fuel a broader political debate on repatriation policy, humanitarian obligations, and counter-terrorism strategy.
Official Statements & Responses
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke reiterated that the government provided no assistance for the return and warned that any individual who “has committed crimes can expect to face the full force of the law.” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed “nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy for ISIS” and emphasized community safety as the government’s priority. AFP Deputy Commissioner Hilda Sirec stressed that “a period of time without charges being laid is not an indicator that investigations have ceased,” and confirmed that investigations continue for all adult female returnees.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition leader Angus Taylor called for stricter legislation to block future returns, accusing the Labor government of failing to prevent the travel. Human Rights Commission and Save the Children Australia CEO Mat Tinkler urged the government to prioritize the welfare of the two-thirds of the cohort who are children, arguing that political rhetoric should not impede their right to citizenship and support services.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact composition of the May 26 cohort (19 women/12 children vs. 6 women/13 children). No public information confirms whether any of the women have been formally interviewed about alleged crimes, and details of the evidence collection process remain undisclosed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The government has not and will not provide any assistance to this group,” — Tony Burke, Home Affairs Minister
- “These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organisation and to place their children in an unspeakable situation,” — Tony Burke
- “I have nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy for ISIS,” — Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister
- “A period of time without charges being laid is not an indicator that investigations have ceased.” — Hilda Sirec, AFP Deputy Commissioner
- “The political debate surrounding their future in Australia has been deeply disappointing.” — Mat Tinkler, Save the Children Australia CEO
What’s Next
Bail applications for El Houli and Zeinab Ahmed are pending; the TEO on Abby remains until 2028. AFP and state police will continue to analyse seized electronic devices and conduct forensic testing, with further charges possible as investigations progress.
