Australian ISIL relatives released from Syrian refugee camp

AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS TO LEAVE SYRIA

Thirty-four Australian relatives of ISIL fighters are set to depart from Damascus, Kurdish authorities have announced. The families were handed over to their relatives at the Roj camp in northern Syria on Monday. According to a director of the Roj camp, 11 families with Australian nationality were released today.

The camp currently houses approximately 2,201 people from around 50 nationalities. The individuals were transported to Damascus on small buses accompanied by a military vehicle. This marks the latest development in the ongoing situation at the Roj and al-Hol camps, which have been home to thousands of people linked to ISIL since the group’s territorial losses in Syria in 2019.

The Australian government has stated that it will not repatriate individuals from Syria. A spokesperson said: “Our security agencies continue to monitor the situation in Syria to ensure they are prepared for any Australians seeking to return to Australia.” The statement added that those who have committed crimes and return to Australia would face the full force of the law.

The British NGO Save The Children has warned about the risks faced by children in camps in northeastern Syria, citing concerns over harm, exploitation, and coercion. Governments worldwide, including the UK, have been slow to repatriate their citizens from the region.

Source: Al Jazeera