Arabic version: أستراليا تستعد لعودة النساء والأطفال من سوريا

A group of 13 Australians, including four women and nine children, is set to return from Syria, with some members facing arrest due to alleged ties to the ISIL (ISIS) group. They are expected to arrive on Thursday evening local time at airports in Melbourne and Sydney.

According to Al Jazeera, Australian Federal Police Commissioner Krissy Barrett announced that while some individuals will be taken into custody, others will remain under active investigation. The children will receive psychological support and participate in programs aimed at countering violent extremism and promoting community integration.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke condemned the women for their decision to travel to Syria, stating that anyone who committed crimes will face prosecution upon their return. He emphasized that the Australian government did not assist in their return, highlighting the legal limitations in preventing citizens from coming back to Australia.

Since 2015, Australian authorities have been investigating citizens who traveled to Syria to join ISIL. The situation is reminiscent of cases involving other Western nationals, such as British citizen Shamima Begum, who was stripped of her UK citizenship on national security grounds.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Counterterrorism, Ben Saul, called on Australia to ensure the welfare of the returning women and children, while also emphasizing that law enforcement actions should be proportionate and justified.