AUSTRALIA REPATRIATES 17 WOMEN, CHILDREN FROM SYRIA’S AL-ROJ CAMP

Sat 29 October 2022:

The federal government has repatriated 17 Australian citizens who were left stranded in Syrian camps after the fall of the Islamic State (IS).

Clare O’Neil, minister of home affairs, announced that four women and 13 children landed safely in Australia on Saturday morning.

The group — the wives and children of radicalized Australians who joined the IS — lived in the al-Hol and al-Roj camps in northeastern Syria.

In a statement, O’Neil said the repatriation was informed by national security advice that considered “the range of security, community and welfare factors in making the decision to repatriate.”

“The decision to repatriate these women and their children was informed by individual assessments following detailed work by national security agencies,” she said.

“At all times the focus has been the safety and security of all Australians as well as the safety of those involved in the operation.”

She said allegations of illegal activity would continue to be investigated by state and federal law enforcement authorities.

“Any identified offences may lead to law enforcement action being taken,” O’Neil said, adding that New South Wales was providing “extensive support services” to assist the group to reintegrate into Australia.

The mothers, who were partners of Islamic State supporters, could face ongoing controls including ankle monitors and curfews or could be charged with entering the former Islamic State stronghold of al-Raqqa in Syria.

“Informed by national security advice, the government has carefully considered the range of security, community and welfare factors in making the decision to repatriate,” O’Neil said in a statement.

Australian officials had assessed the group as the most vulnerable among 60 Australian women and children held in the al-Roj camp in northeast Syria.

Opposition party leader Peter Dutton has labelled the move as not in the country’s best interest, saying the women have mixed with “people who hate our country, hate our way of life”.

In a statement on Saturday attributed to the repatriated women, the group said they were “deeply thankful” to be back in Australia and they expressed regret for the “troubles and hurt” caused by their actions, particularly to their families.

Statement from the women brought back to Australia this morning from Syria @9NewsAUS pic.twitter.com/22sBINPmy2

— Lizzie Pearl (@lizziepearl) October 29, 2022

Asking for privacy and space to reconnect with their loved ones, the women expressed hope that “all Australian children and their mothers will soon be repatriated from the camps in Syria”.

According to The Australian, this is the first repatriation of Australians since two groups of orphans were repatriated in July 2019.

The following countries have already repatriated citizens from Syrian camps: the United States, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, and Canada.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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