A Pair of Aussie Women and Four Kids Break Free From Syrian Detention Camp, Making Their Way to the State of Victoria

Two Australian women and four children have successfully escaped a detention facility in Syria and made their own way back to Victoria, as demands increase on the Australian government to repatriate its nationals.

The Escape Journey

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 secured Australian documents in Beirut.

They were subjected to identification and security checks in the Lebanese capital, before travelling to Australia by a regular airline recently.

Australians in Syrian Camps

There are approximately forty Australian nationals – most of them children – held in detention camps in northern Syria. They are the family members of slain or jailed IS fighters.

About 34 Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been detained at the Roj facility near the border with Turkey, most since 2019. Some of the children were born within the camp, and have never experienced life beyond its confines. A smaller number of Australian citizens are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol closer to Iraq.

Not a single detainee has, at this point, been charged with a crime or faces a warrant for arrest.

Dangers of Self-Repatriation

Sources with knowledge say the informal and ad hoc escape to Lebanon put the children at risk and that the females were detained in Lebanon when attempting to cross the frontier. These observers contend that official and managed returns are much more secure, allowing for assistance programs to be established for those returning, and for security services in Australia to be ready for their arrival.

Camp Conditions

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are dire, with widespread hunger, disease and violent incidents. A recently published analysis described a “unstable security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are limited and overstretched and housing insufficient, with flooding and fires making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience complex, severe trauma and mental health problems and psychological treatment is inadequate. Many children in the camp have no relatives, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. Al-Hol camp, holding 30,000 people – more than half of them children – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Official Return Operations

For years, the national government has been under growing demands from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to repatriate its citizens. The authorities have conducted two small-scale return operations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a expectant teen, were repatriated to NSW, and in late 2022, four women and 13 children were repatriated, also to New South Wales.

A federal court challenge to force the authorities to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the judges ruling 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”.

Global Perspective

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

A report to Congress argued: “the only durable solution to the severe humanitarian and security problems in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is repatriation. This explains why the US urges all countries to repatriate their nationals from northeastern Syria.”

Official Statements

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

“The Australian government is not providing assistance and is not conducting repatriations in camps in Syria.

“Should any individuals manage to return independently, our law enforcement bodies are satisfied that they are prepared and will be able to ensure public security.”

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

“We trust our institutions.

“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 Australian citizens in Syrian camps may attempt to come back.

“When necessary, Victoria Police works closely with local and national authorities to assist with the reintegration of women and children who come back to the state from camps in Syria.”