Arabic version: عائلات مرتبطة بتنظيم الدولة الإسلامية في طريقها إلى أستراليا

According to SBS News,

One family among a cohort linked to the self-proclaimed Islamic State group (IS) has spoken while en route back to Australia. The families — consisting of four women and nine children — are expected to arrive late on Thursday afternoon, after being held in northern Syria’s al-Roj detention camp since 2019 following the IS group’s collapse. The majority of the families are set to arrive at Sydney airport, with one woman and a child anticipated to land in Melbourne.

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) commissioner has confirmed that some women will face charges upon their return, while others will be subject to ongoing investigations. New South Wales (NSW) Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated that returning individuals associated with terrorist organizations will be closely monitored by law enforcement.

From the plane, one family told SBS News on Thursday morning: “The kids were so bubbly and happy to be making their way home. They said it’s incredible, honestly.”

Education Minister Jason Clare highlighted the challenges of reintegrating the children into Australian society, acknowledging the trauma they may have experienced. He indicated that counter-extremism programs would likely be implemented for the returning children.

The federal Opposition has criticized the government for allowing the families to return, arguing that it should have prevented their travel by not issuing passports or temporary exclusion orders. The government maintains that it has not facilitated their return and emphasizes the importance of monitoring these individuals closely.