Two commercial flights carrying 19 Australian women and children connected to the Islamic State group arrived in Melbourne and Sydney on Tuesday, as Australian authorities warned that criminal investigations into their activities in Syria are ongoing.
The returnees — seven women and 12 children — traveled on Qatar Airways flights from the Middle East. According to a joint statement from police and intelligence agencies, two women and seven children landed in Melbourne, while four women and six children arrived later in Sydney.
Officials said no one was immediately charged upon arrival, but authorities continue investigating possible terrorism-related activities during their time in Syria.
Australia’s Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said anyone found to have committed crimes could face prosecution.
“These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organization,” Burke said, adding that the government’s top priority remains public safety.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also strongly condemned the Islamic State group, stating in Parliament that he had “nothing but contempt” for anyone sympathetic to ISIS.
The latest repatriation comes less than three weeks after another group of 13 Australians linked to ISIS returned home. In that earlier operation, three women were later charged with terrorism and slavery-related offenses and remain in custody.
One of the most high-profile cases involved two women accused of purchasing a Yazidi woman as a slave while living under ISIS rule in Syria. Another returnee was charged with membership in a terrorist organization.
Community leader and doctor Jamal Rifi, who has advocated for the return of Australian children stranded in Syrian detention camps, said many of the children deserve the chance to grow up safely in Australia.
He acknowledged, however, that joining ISIS was “a terrible decision,” while suggesting some women may themselves have been manipulated or victimized by the extremist group.
Most of the returnees had been held in camps such as Roj camp in northeastern Syria since the territorial defeat of ISIS in 2019.
Australian authorities said security agencies have been preparing for the possible return of citizens linked to ISIS since 2014 and have long-term monitoring measures in place.
At least two Australians reportedly remain in Roj camp, including a woman currently barred from returning under a temporary exclusion order that lasts until 2028.
