A group of women, often referred to as ISIS brides, along with their children, have departed from a camp in northern Syria today. Their aim is to return to Australia after a previous repatriation attempt failed earlier this year.
The Australian federal government has issued passports to four women and nine children, allowing them to leave the harsh conditions of the Al-Roj camp, potentially for the last time.
Lana Hussein, the camp’s coordinator, explained that a security process, which can take up to 72 hours, is required before their deportation can proceed.
Just under three months ago, a group of 34 Australian citizens, including these individuals, attempted to return home, but Syrian government forces thwarted their efforts.
This time, however, it seems they have successfully navigated past that obstacle.
“The coordination was perfect,” said Hakmiyeh Ibrahim, the director of the Al-Roj camp, in a statement to the ABC through a translator.
“It was done between us and the Syrian Government to be able to fly back these families to their country.”
The Australian government is required to issue passports to its citizens.
This group is no exception but the government says assistance to bring them back stopped there.Â
“The Australian government is not repatriating those people from Syria,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
Only one of the women who has been living at the Syrian camp has been temporarily banned from entering Australia.
No other exclusion orders have been issued.Â
“Tony Burke himself has said ‘We do not want them here’,” Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jonno Duniam said.Â
“You are in government, you can do something about it.”
When terror group Islamic State retreated in 2019, families linked to its fighters were taken to decrepit camps.
The move was something their children had no choice in.
This group’s departure leaves another 11 Australian women and children in Al-Roj.
The camp says there are no plans yet for their return.
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