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A pair of Australian females and four youngsters have managed to break out of a Syrian detention camp 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 – whose names and ages are not being disclosed – escaped from the infamous Al-Hol detention camp in northeastern Syria, travelling more than 500km to cross the Lebanese border, where they were able to obtain official papers from Australia in the capital of Lebanon.

They were subjected to identification and security checks in Beirut, before travelling to Australia by a regular airline recently.

Australian Nationals Held in Syria

There are about 40 Australians – most of them children – held in detention camps in northern Syria. They are the family members of slain or jailed IS fighters.

Roughly thirty-four Australians – 14 women and 20 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 know no life outside it. A smaller number of Australian citizens are understood to have been held in the Al-Hol detention camp closer to Iraq.

None of those in the camps has, at this point, 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 Lebanon endangered the children and that the females were detained in the country when attempting to cross the frontier. These observers contend that official and managed returns are far safer, allowing for assistance programs to be put in place for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in Australia to be ready for their arrival.

Situation in the Camps

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

“Facilities in the camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and shelters inadequate, with natural disasters making life hazardous. Young detainees experience serious psychological trauma and mental health problems and psychological treatment is inadequate. Numerous minors in the camp have no family, making them particularly vulnerable to extremist influence.”

Human rights organizations describe conditions in the camps as “life-threatening”. The Al-Hol facility, holding 30,000 people – more than half of them children – is regarded as particularly chaotic and violent.

Government Repatriation Efforts

For years, the national 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 pregnant teenager, were returned to New South Wales, and in October 2022, four women and 13 children were brought back, also to NSW.

A federal court challenge to force the authorities to repatriate its nationals was unsuccessful, with the court finding there was no legal obligation 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, based on available information, it would be a fairly simple process”.

Global Perspective

The US, which funds the bulk of security operations across northeastern Syria, urges nations such as Australia to take their citizens back, and is even providing assistance to repatriate third-country nationals.

A congressional report argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention centers and displaced persons camps is repatriation. This explains why the US urges all countries to bring back their citizens from northeastern Syria.”

Official Statements

An Australian government spokesperson said Syria was becoming “more volatile”.

“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 confident in their readiness and will be able to ensure public security.”

The representative said national authorities had “been monitoring these individuals for some time”.

“We trust our institutions.

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

Local Law Enforcement Readiness

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

“Where required, Victoria Police collaborates with local and national authorities to assist with the reintegration of women and children who return to Victoria from Syrian detention centers.”