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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 the state of Victoria, as demands increase on the government of Australia to bring back its nationals.

Their Route to Freedom

The two women and four children – with identities kept confidential – escaped from the infamous Al-Hol detention camp in north-east Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to cross the Lebanese border, where they were able to obtain official papers from Australia in Beirut.

They underwent identity and security screenings in the Lebanese capital, before travelling to Australia by a commercial flight last week.

Australian Nationals Held in Syria

There are approximately forty Australian nationals – the majority being minors – detained in camps in northern Syria. They are the wives, widows and children of deceased or imprisoned IS fighters.

About 34 Australians – fourteen women and twenty children – have been detained at the Roj facility near the border with Turkey, largely since 2019. Some of the children were born within the camp, and have never experienced life beyond its confines. A fewer of Australian citizens are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol closer to Iraq.

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

Dangers of Self-Repatriation

Informed sources say the informal and ad hoc escape to Lebanon endangered the children and that the women had been arrested in the country when attempting to cross the frontier. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are far safer, allowing for support services to be established for those coming back, and for law enforcement agencies in Australia to be prepared for the returns.

Situation in the Camps

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are dire, with extensive malnutrition, disease and violent incidents. A recently published analysis described a “volatile security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Facilities in the camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and shelters inadequate, with flooding and fires making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience complex, severe trauma and mental health problems and psychological treatment is inadequate. Many children in the camp have no relatives, making them especially at risk to extremist influence.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. The Al-Hol facility, housing thirty thousand individuals – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as particularly chaotic and violent.

Government Repatriation Efforts

Over an extended period, the federal government has been under growing demands from relatives, legal representatives, and activist organizations to bring back its nationals. The authorities have conducted two small-scale return operations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a expectant teen, 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 force the authorities to return its citizens was unsuccessful, with the judges ruling there was no legal obligation on the administration.

However, the judicial panel did find: “if the commonwealth has the political will to bring the … women and children back to Australia, based on available information, it would be a relatively straightforward exercise”.

International Context

The US, which funds the bulk of security operations across north-east Syria, wants countries like Australia to take their citizens back, and is even offering to help return foreign citizens.

A congressional report argued: “the only durable solution 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 US urges all countries to bring back their citizens from northeastern Syria.”

Government Response

An Australian government spokesperson said Syria was becoming “increasingly unstable”.

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

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

The spokesperson said Australian agencies had “kept these people under observation for some time”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

“Our travel warnings still recommend Australians do not travel to Syria due to the hazardous conditions and threat of armed conflict.”

State Police Preparedness

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

“Where required, local police collaborates with local and national authorities to facilitate the re-integration of females and minors who return to Victoria from Syrian detention centers.”