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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 pressure mounts on the government of Australia to bring back 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 north-east Syria, travelling more than 500km to cross the Lebanese border, where they were able to obtain Australian documents in the capital of Lebanon.

They were subjected to identification and security checks in the Lebanese capital, before flying to Australia by a commercial flight last week.

Australians in Syrian Camps

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

About 34 Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp near the border with Turkey, most since 2019. Several youngsters were born within the camp, and know no life outside it. A fewer of Australians are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol nearer to Iraq.

Not a single detainee has, currently, been faced criminal charges or is subject to an arrest warrant.

Risks of Independent Escape

Informed sources say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Beirut endangered the children and that the women had been arrested in the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are far safer, allowing for support services to be established for those coming back, and for security services in Australia to be prepared for the returns.

Situation in the Camps

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are extremely poor, with extensive malnutrition, illness and violent incidents. A recently published analysis described a “unstable security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and housing insufficient, with natural disasters making life dangerous. Young detainees experience serious psychological trauma and psychological issues and mental health care is insufficient. Numerous minors in the camp have no relatives, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”

Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. The Al-Hol facility, housing thirty thousand individuals – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Government Repatriation Efforts

Over an extended period, the federal government has been under increasing pressure from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to bring back its nationals. The government has undertaken two limited repatriations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a expectant teen, were repatriated to NSW, and in October 2022, four women and 13 children were brought back, also to NSW.

A legal action in federal court to force the authorities to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the court finding there was no statutory requirement on the government.

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, on the evidence before the court, it would be a relatively straightforward exercise”.

International Context

The US, which funds the bulk of security operations across north-east Syria, wants countries like Australia to repatriate their nationals, and is even providing assistance to return foreign citizens.

A report to Congress argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is returning people to their home countries. That is why the US urges all countries to repatriate their nationals from northeastern Syria.”

Official Statements

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

“The government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in camps in Syria.

“Should any individuals find their own way to return, 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 some time”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

“Our travel advice continues to advise citizens avoid travel to the country due to the hazardous conditions and threat of armed conflict.”

State Police Preparedness

A police representative said police were aware nationals in Syrian facilities may attempt to come back.

“When necessary, local police collaborates with local and national authorities to facilitate the re-integration of females and minors who return to Victoria from camps in Syria.”