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A pair of Australian females and four youngsters have successfully escaped a Syrian detention camp and made their own way back to the state of Victoria, as pressure mounts 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 notorious Al-Hol camp in north-east Syria, travelling more than 500km to cross the Lebanese border, where they secured Australian documents in the capital of Lebanon.

They underwent identity and security screenings in Beirut, before flying to Australia by a regular airline 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 wives, widows and children of deceased or imprisoned IS fighters.

Roughly thirty-four Australians – fourteen women and twenty 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.

None of those in the camps has, at this point, been charged with a crime or is subject to an arrest warrant.

Dangers of Self-Repatriation

Sources with knowledge say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Beirut endangered the children and that the women had been arrested in the country when trying to cross the border. These sources argue that government sponsored and controlled repatriations are far safer, allowing for assistance programs to be established for those returning, and for security services in Australia to be prepared for the returns.

Situation in the Camps

The situation in Syrian detention facilities are extremely poor, with widespread hunger, illness and violent incidents. A recently published analysis described a “unstable security” situation and a “health emergency”.

“Facilities in the camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and housing insufficient, with natural disasters making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience serious psychological trauma and psychological issues and mental health care is insufficient. Numerous minors in the camp have no family, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”

Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. The Al-Hol facility, housing thirty thousand individuals – more than half of them children – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Government Repatriation Efforts

Over an extended period, the national government has been under growing demands 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 pregnant teenager, were repatriated to NSW, and in late 2022, four females and thirteen children were repatriated, also to New South Wales.

A legal action in federal court to compel the government to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the court finding there was no statutory requirement on the government.

However, the judicial panel 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 north-east 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 only durable solution to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is returning people to their home countries. That is 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 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 security agencies are satisfied that they are prepared and will be able to ensure public security.”

The representative said Australian agencies had “kept these people under observation for an extended period”.

“We have confidence in our agencies.

“Our travel warnings continues to advise citizens avoid travel to Syria due to the hazardous conditions and threat of armed conflict.”

Local Law Enforcement Readiness

A Victoria Police spokesperson said police were aware Australian citizens in Syrian camps may look to return home.

“When necessary, Victoria Police collaborates with local and national authorities to assist with the reintegration of females and minors who come back to the state from Syrian detention centers.”