Australian IS families in Syria camp turned back after leaving for home

A group of 34 Australian women and children, held in Roj camp in northern Syria for nearly seven years due to their links to ISIS, were temporarily released on Monday. The group, believed to be relatives of ISIS fighters, was initially heading home after the Australian government had previously refused repatriation. However, their release was halted for "technical reasons," and they were returned to the camp. The reason for the reversal is unclear, but reports suggest a failure to coordinate permissions. Roj camp houses over 2,000 individuals from 40 nationalities, primarily women and children, since ISIS lost its territory in Syria in 2019. The camp director has appealed to all countries to repatriate their citizens, citing concerns about the children growing up surrounded by dangerous ideologies.

Kurdish authorities in Syria released 34 Australian relatives of ISIL fighters from the Roj camp on Monday, February 16, 2026. The individuals, comprising 11 families, were handed over to family members who traveled to Syria for the release. They were transported to Damascus to be flown to Australia. The Roj camp still houses over 2,000 people of various nationalities. While the Australian government acknowledges the situation, it maintains that its security agencies are monitoring the situation in Syria to prepare for any Australians seeking to return.