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A pair of Australian females and four youngsters have successfully escaped a detention facility in Syria and journeyed independently back to Victoria, as pressure mounts on the Australian government to repatriate its nationals.

The Escape Journey

This group of two adults and four minors – with identities kept confidential – escaped from the notorious Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to enter Lebanon, where they were able to obtain official papers from Australia in the capital of Lebanon.

They were subjected to identification and security checks in Beirut, before flying to Australia by a commercial flight recently.

Australians in Syrian Camps

There are about 40 Australians – most of them children – detained in camps in north Syria. They are the wives, widows and children of slain or jailed Islamic State 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 know no life outside it. A smaller number of Australians are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol closer to Iraq.

None of those in the camps has, currently, 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 the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are much more secure, allowing for assistance programs to be established for those returning, and for security services in the country to be prepared for the returns.

Situation in the Camps

Conditions in the Syrian camps are dire, with extensive malnutrition, disease and outbreaks of violence. A recent report described a “volatile security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Facilities in the camps are limited and overstretched and housing insufficient, with flooding and fires making life hazardous. Young detainees experience complex, severe trauma and psychological issues and psychological treatment is inadequate. Many children in the camp have no relatives, making them especially at risk to radicalisation and recruitment.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. Al-Hol camp, housing thirty thousand individuals – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Official Return Operations

For years, the national government has been under growing demands from families, lawyers, and advocacy groups to bring back its nationals. The authorities have conducted two limited repatriations: 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 repatriated, also to NSW.

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

However, the full bench of the court did find: “should the government demonstrate the determination to bring the … women and children back to Australia, on the evidence before the court, it would be a fairly simple process”.

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 offering to help repatriate third-country nationals.

A report to Congress argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention facilities and DP camps is returning people to their home countries. This explains why the United States encourages all countries to repatriate their nationals from north-east Syria.”

Official Statements

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

“The government is not offering help and is not conducting repatriations in camps in Syria.

“Should any individuals manage to return independently, our security agencies 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 some time”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

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

Local Law Enforcement Readiness

A police representative said police were aware Australian citizens in Syrian camps may attempt to come back.

“When necessary, local police collaborates with state and federal agencies to assist with the reintegration of females and minors who come back to the state from Syrian detention centers.”