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Two Australian women and four children have managed to break out of a Syrian detention camp and journeyed independently back to the state of Victoria, as pressure mounts on the government of Australia to bring back its citizens.

Their Route to Freedom

This group of two adults and four minors – whose names and ages are not being disclosed – escaped from the infamous Al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to enter Lebanon, where they secured Australian documents in Beirut.

They underwent identity and security screenings in Beirut, before flying to Australia by a commercial flight last week.

Australians in Syrian Camps

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

Roughly thirty-four Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp 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 Australians are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol nearer to Iraq.

Not a single detainee has, currently, been charged with a crime or is subject to an arrest warrant.

Risks of Independent Escape

Informed sources say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Beirut endangered the children and that the women had been arrested in the country when attempting to cross the frontier. These observers contend that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are much more secure, allowing for support services to be put in place for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in the country to be ready for their arrival.

Camp Conditions

Conditions in the Syrian camps are extremely poor, with extensive malnutrition, disease and outbreaks of violence. A recently published analysis described a “unstable security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and shelters inadequate, with natural disasters making life hazardous. Young detainees experience complex, severe trauma and psychological issues and mental health care is insufficient. Numerous minors in the camp have no family, making them particularly vulnerable to radicalisation and recruitment.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. Al-Hol camp, holding 30,000 people – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Government Repatriation Efforts

Over an extended period, the national government has been under increasing pressure from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to repatriate its citizens. The authorities have conducted two small-scale return operations: in 2019, eight orphaned children, including a expectant teen, were returned to New South Wales, and in late 2022, four women and 13 children were brought back, also to NSW.

A legal action in federal court to force the authorities to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the court finding there was no statutory requirement 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 relatively straightforward exercise”.

International Context

The United States, which provides most security funding across northeastern Syria, wants countries like Australia to take their citizens back, and is even providing assistance to return foreign citizens.

A report to Congress argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the severe humanitarian and security problems in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is returning people to their home countries. That is 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 government is not providing assistance and is not conducting repatriations in camps in Syria.

“If any of those people manage to return independently, our law enforcement bodies are confident in their readiness and will be able to act in the interests of community safety.”

The spokesperson said Australian agencies had “been monitoring these individuals for an extended period”.

“We trust our institutions.

“Our travel warnings still recommend citizens avoid travel to the country due to the dangerous security situation and threat of armed conflict.”

State Police Preparedness

A police representative said authorities knew nationals in Syrian facilities may look to return home.

“Where required, Victoria Police collaborates with state and federal agencies to facilitate the re-integration of females and minors who return to Victoria from Syrian detention centers.”