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A pair of Australian females and four youngsters have managed to break out of a Syrian detention camp and made their own way back to Victoria, as demands increase on the Australian government to bring back its nationals.

The Escape Journey

This group of two adults and four minors – with identities kept confidential – fled the infamous Al-Hol detention camp in northeastern Syria, covering over 500 kilometers to enter Lebanon, 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 last week.

Australian Nationals Held in Syria

There are about 40 Australians – most of them children – detained in camps in northern Syria. They are the family members of deceased or imprisoned Islamic State fighters.

About 34 Australians – 14 women and 20 children – have been held in the Roj camp near the Turkish border, most since 2019. Several youngsters were born in the camp, and know no life outside it. A fewer of Australian citizens are understood to have been detained at Al-Hol nearer to Iraq.

Not a single detainee has, at this point, been faced criminal charges or is subject to an arrest warrant.

Dangers of Self-Repatriation

Sources with knowledge say the unofficial and improvised breakout to Lebanon endangered the children and that the women had been arrested in the country when trying to cross the border. These observers contend that official and managed returns are much more secure, allowing for support services to be put in place for those returning, and for law enforcement agencies in Australia to be prepared for the returns.

Camp Conditions

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

“Services within the displaced persons camps are inadequate and overwhelmed and shelters inadequate, with natural disasters making life hazardous. Displaced youth experience serious psychological trauma and psychological issues and mental health care is insufficient. Many children in the camp have no family, making them especially at risk to extremist influence.”

Advocacy groups describe conditions in the camps as “extremely dangerous”. The Al-Hol facility, holding 30,000 people – over fifty percent being minors – is regarded as notably unstable and dangerous.

Official Return Operations

Over an extended period, the national government has been under growing demands from families, lawyers, and advocacy groups to repatriate its citizens. The authorities have conducted two limited repatriations: in 2019, eight orphaned children, including a pregnant teenager, were repatriated to NSW, and in late 2022, four women and 13 children were brought back, also to New South Wales.

A legal action in federal court to compel the government to return its citizens was unsuccessful, 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, based on available information, it would be a fairly simple process”.

Global Perspective

The US, which provides most security funding across northeastern Syria, wants countries like Australia to take their citizens back, and is even offering to help repatriate third-country nationals.

A congressional report argued: “the sole sustainable answer to the acute humanitarian and security challenges in the detention facilities and DP camps is returning people to their home countries. That is why the US urges all countries to bring back their citizens from north-east Syria.”

Government Response

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.

“If any of those people find their own way to return, our law enforcement bodies are satisfied that they are prepared and will be able to ensure public security.”

The spokesperson said national authorities had “kept these people under observation for an extended period”.

“We trust our institutions.

“Our travel warnings continues to advise citizens avoid travel to Syria due to the dangerous security situation and risk of violence.”

State Police Preparedness

A Victoria Police spokesperson said authorities knew nationals in Syrian facilities may look to return home.

“Where required, Victoria Police works closely with local and national authorities to facilitate the re-integration of women and children who come back to the state from Syrian detention centers.”