🔗 Share this article

A pair of Australian females and four youngsters have managed to break out of a Syrian detention camp and journeyed independently back to the state of Victoria, as demands increase on the government of Australia to repatriate its citizens.

Their Route to Freedom

This group of two adults and four minors – whose names and ages are not being disclosed – fled the notorious Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to cross the Lebanese border, where they secured Australian documents in the capital of Lebanon.

They underwent identity and security screenings in Beirut, before flying to Australia by a regular airline recently.

Australian Nationals Held in Syria

There are approximately forty Australian nationals – most of them children – detained in camps in northern Syria. They are the wives, widows and children of slain or jailed Islamic State fighters.

Roughly thirty-four Australians – fourteen women and twenty children – have been detained at the Roj facility near the Turkish border, most since 2019. Several youngsters were born in the camp, and have never experienced life beyond its confines. A fewer of Australian citizens are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol closer to Iraq.

Not a single detainee has, at this point, been faced criminal charges or faces a warrant for arrest.

Risks of Independent Escape

Sources with knowledge say the informal and ad hoc escape to Beirut endangered the children and that the females were detained in the country when trying to cross the border. These observers contend that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are much more secure, allowing for support services to be established for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in the country to be ready for their arrival.

Situation in the Camps

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are extremely poor, with extensive malnutrition, disease and violent incidents. A recent report described a “unstable security” situation and a “public health crisis”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are limited and overstretched and housing insufficient, with natural disasters making life dangerous. Young detainees experience serious psychological trauma and mental health problems and psychological treatment is inadequate. Many children in the camp have no family, making them especially at risk to extremist influence.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. The Al-Hol facility, housing thirty thousand individuals – more than half of them children – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Government Repatriation Efforts

Over an extended period, the federal government has been under growing demands from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to repatriate its citizens. The government has undertaken two small-scale return operations: in 2019, eight orphaned children, including a pregnant teenager, were returned to New South Wales, and in late 2022, four females and thirteen children were brought back, also to New South Wales.

A federal court challenge to force the authorities to repatriate its nationals failed, with the court finding there was no legal obligation on the administration.

However, the full bench of the court did find: “if the commonwealth has the political will to bring the … women and children back to Australia, based on available information, it would be a relatively straightforward exercise”.

Global Perspective

The US, which provides most security funding across north-east Syria, wants countries like Australia to repatriate their nationals, and is even providing assistance to repatriate third-country nationals.

A report to Congress argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the severe humanitarian and security problems in the detention facilities and DP camps is repatriation. This explains why the United States encourages all countries to bring back their citizens from northeastern Syria.”

Official Statements

An Australian government spokesperson said Syria was becoming “more volatile”.

“The government is not offering help and is not repatriating individuals in camps in Syria.

“If any of those people manage to return independently, our security agencies are confident in their readiness and will be able to ensure public security.”

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

“We trust our institutions.

“Our travel warnings continues to advise Australians do not travel to the country due to the dangerous security situation and risk of violence.”

State Police Preparedness

A police representative said authorities knew nationals in Syrian facilities may look to return home.

“When necessary, Victoria Police works closely with local and national authorities to assist with the reintegration of females and minors who return to Victoria from camps in Syria.”