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Two Australian women and four children have successfully escaped a detention facility in Syria and journeyed independently back to Victoria, as demands increase on the government of Australia to repatriate its citizens.

Their Route to Freedom

The two women and four children – with identities kept confidential – fled the notorious Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, travelling more than 500km to cross the Lebanese border, where they secured Australian documents in Beirut.

They were subjected to identification and security checks in Beirut, before travelling to Australia by a regular airline last week.

Australian Nationals Held in Syria

There are approximately forty Australian nationals – most of them children – held in detention camps in northern Syria. They are the wives, widows and children of deceased or imprisoned IS fighters.

About 34 Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp near the Turkish border, most since 2019. Some of the children were born within the camp, and know no life outside it. A smaller number of Australians are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol closer to Iraq.

None of those in the camps has, at this point, been charged with a crime or is subject to an arrest warrant.

Risks of Independent Escape

Sources with knowledge say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Beirut put the children at risk and that the women had been arrested in Lebanon when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are far safer, allowing for assistance programs to be put in place for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in the country to be ready for their arrival.

Camp Conditions

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are dire, with widespread hunger, illness and outbreaks of violence. A recent report described a “volatile security” situation and a “public health crisis”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are limited and overstretched and shelters inadequate, with flooding and fires making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience serious psychological trauma and psychological issues and mental health care is insufficient. Many children in the camp have no family, making them especially at risk to extremist influence.”

Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. The Al-Hol facility, holding 30,000 people – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Official Return Operations

Over an extended period, the federal government has been under growing demands from families, lawyers, and advocacy groups to bring back its nationals. The authorities have conducted two limited repatriations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a pregnant teenager, were repatriated to NSW, and in October 2022, four females and thirteen children were brought back, also to New South Wales.

A legal action in federal court to compel the government to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the court finding there was no legal obligation on the administration.

However, the full bench of the court did find: “should the government demonstrate the determination to bring the … women and children back to Australia, based on available information, it would be a fairly simple process”.

International Context

The United States, which funds the bulk of security operations across north-east Syria, urges nations such as Australia to repatriate their nationals, and is even offering to help return foreign citizens.

A congressional report argued: “the only durable solution to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is repatriation. That is why the United States encourages all countries to repatriate their nationals from northeastern Syria.”

Government Response

An Australian government spokesperson said the country was becoming “increasingly unstable”.

“The Australian government is not offering help and is not conducting repatriations in Syrian displaced persons camps.

“Should any individuals manage to return independently, our security agencies are confident in their readiness and will be able to ensure public security.”

The representative said national authorities had “kept these people under observation for an extended period”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

“Our travel advice continues to advise citizens avoid travel to the country due to the dangerous security situation and threat of armed conflict.”

Local Law Enforcement Readiness

A Victoria Police spokesperson said authorities knew nationals in Syrian facilities may look to return home.

“When necessary, Victoria Police collaborates with state and federal agencies to facilitate the re-integration of females and minors who return to Victoria from Syrian detention centers.”