A Pair of Australian Women and Four Kids Break Free From Syrian Holding Facility, Fleeing to the State of Victoria

Two Australian women and four children have managed to break out of a Syrian detention camp and made their own way back to the state of Victoria, as demands increase on the Australian government to bring back its nationals.

The Escape Journey

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 were able to obtain Australian documents in the capital of Lebanon.

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

Australians in Syrian Camps

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

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

None of those in the camps has, currently, been charged with a crime or faces a warrant for arrest.

Risks of Independent Escape

Informed sources say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Lebanon endangered the children and that the females were detained in the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that official and managed returns are much more secure, allowing for assistance programs to be put in place for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in the country to be prepared for the returns.

Situation in the Camps

Conditions in the Syrian camps are dire, with extensive malnutrition, illness and outbreaks of violence. A recent report described a “unstable security” situation and a “public health crisis”.

“Services within the displaced persons camps are limited and overstretched and shelters inadequate, with natural disasters making life dangerous. Young detainees experience serious psychological trauma and psychological issues and psychological treatment is inadequate. Many children in the camp have no family, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”

Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. The Al-Hol facility, housing thirty thousand individuals – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Government Repatriation Efforts

For years, the national government has been under growing demands from families, lawyers, and advocacy groups to bring back its nationals. The government has undertaken two limited repatriations: in 2019, eight children without parents, including a pregnant teenager, were repatriated to NSW, and in late 2022, four females and thirteen children were brought back, also to New South Wales.

A legal action in federal court to force the authorities to return its citizens failed, with the judges ruling there was no legal obligation on the government.

However, the judicial panel did find: “if the commonwealth has the political will 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 provides most security funding across north-east Syria, urges nations such as Australia to take their citizens back, and is even providing assistance to 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 repatriation. That is why the US urges all countries to bring back their citizens from northeastern Syria.”

Official Statements

An official representative said Syria was becoming “increasingly unstable”.

“The Australian government is not providing assistance and is not repatriating individuals in Syrian displaced persons camps.

“Should any individuals find their own way to return, our law enforcement bodies are confident in their readiness and will be able to act in the interests of community safety.”

The representative said Australian agencies had “been monitoring these individuals for some time”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

“Our travel warnings still recommend Australians do not travel to the country due to the hazardous conditions and risk of violence.”

State Police Preparedness

A police representative said authorities knew Australian citizens in Syrian camps may attempt to come back.

“Where required, Victoria Police works closely with local and national authorities to facilitate the re-integration of women and children who return to Victoria from camps in Syria.”