Australia rejects report it is repatriating families of IS militants from Syrian camp - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi0gFBVV95cUxNYWRhcVZ2QXVUYjlSa0pveUVMQUc4U0xwNEU2T284bm1pbjFsRi1SRzVPRlNndlMyWVhQUVU5R0tYeDdRdHM4WHdEdTZQVEhGQmFCZ3c2bjQzUXl2Y2hWRTlzZkJrOGxDUjY3WGhxWkVQc191bWo3OWEyQUY4TFlGamY4V3hBVE45T0d3aUhsV1JLY0laRGYwZ3FZZWRsbndaRHBFVW51dW9yM01YNVZqaE1lRTFxdngtY3RPbHpiN2dSVDI1eFludG9EN25jVHRnbGc?oc=5" target="_blank">Australia rejects report it is repatriating families of IS militants from Syrian camp</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

The Australian government has prevented a citizen, suspected of links to the Islamic State (IS) group, from returning from Syria by issuing a temporary exclusion order. The unnamed woman, who left Australia between 2013 and 2015, was part of a group of 33 Australians—10 women and 23 children—who attempted to repatriate from the Roj detention camp in Syria. The return was halted by Syrian authorities due to procedural issues, and the group was sent back to the camp.

As of February 2026, the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, which once housed families of suspected Islamic State (IS) members, is now nearly empty following large-scale repatriations and transfers. The Syrian government, in collaboration with the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR), has facilitated the return of hundreds of individuals, particularly to Iraq and other facilities within Syria, such as Akhtarin camp in Aleppo province. Repatriations are part of ongoing efforts to return camp residents—mainly women and children, many of whom are not accused of crimes—to their countries of origin since the defeat of IS in 2019.

The federal government says it will not help Australian relatives of ISIS fighters return home from Syria, where they have been held in refugee camps for more than six years. A group of 11 families left the Al-Roj camp last night with plans to eventually make the journey to Australia, but were forced to turn back by Syrian authorities.

The convoy was being escorted by Kurdish security forces, who remain in control of a small section of north-eastern Syria — including where the Al-Roj camp is. A message was passed to the Australian families by the Kurdish escorts, saying Syrian authorities would not allow them to continue their journey. In a statement, the federal government said it would not help the families return to Australia.

Australia's government denies reports of repatriating Australians from a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Islamic State militants, stating no official preparations are underway for their return.

Australia's government denies reports of repatriating Australians from a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Daesh militants, stating no official preparations are underway for their return.

Australia's government denies reports of repatriating Australians from a Syrian camp holding families of suspected Islamic State militants, stating no official preparations are underway for their return.

On February 16, 2026, Syrian authorities halted a planned repatriation of 34 Australian women and children from Roj Camp, Syria, due to incomplete departure procedures. The group, linked to alleged Islamic State affiliations, was returning to the camp after being stopped en route to Damascus, where they were to board a flight to Australia. The repatriation was coordinated by their relatives rather than Australian officials.

The United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) announced a sharp decrease in the population at Syria’s al-Hol camp, which housed families of suspected Islamic State (IS) militants. The Syrian government plans to relocate the remaining residents to Akhtarin camp in Aleppo province. UNHCR representative Gonzalo Vargas Llosa confirmed the agency’s readiness to support this relocation and aid both those who leave and remain in the camp. The exact number of remaining residents was not disclosed, though many reportedly fled during or after the Syrian government seized the camp from Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in January.

The federal government has confirmed the Australian citizen with links to Islamic State temporarily banned from returning home immigrated and became an Australian citizen under the Howard government. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told 7.30 the person then travelled to Syria under the Abbott government. The Temporary Exclusion Order (TEO) was made on Monday once the government received information that the group of 34 women and children were attempting to move from the Al-Roj refugee camp in north-eastern Syria, where they have been for more than six years.

While the SDF still controls Al-Roj — which is home to the Australian cohort — the camp's days could be numbered. Its administrators are now trying to send home as many foreign detainees as possible, while it still has control. Aid agencies have warned conditions in the camp are growing increasingly dangerous, with inadequate access to food, clean water and medical care. While Australian officials have previously visited the Australians in Syria, the federal government is only offering limited assistance.

The Australian government has decided not to repatriate 34 women and children from Syria who are allegedly linked to the Islamic State (IS). Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized the government's stance, stating they would neither provide support nor allow repatriation, expressing no sympathy for those who joined IS efforts to undermine democratic society.

Australia's government denies reports of repatriating Australians from a Syrian camp holding families of suspected ISIS militants, stating no official preparations are underway for their return.