Dozens of Australian women and children connected to alleged Islamic State (IS) fighters remain trapped in the al-Roj detention camp in north-eastern Syria, their hopes of returning home dashed amid political resistance in Canberra and brutal conditions on the ground.
Dozens of Australian women and children connected to alleged Islamic State (IS) fighters remain trapped in the al-Roj detention camp in north-eastern Syria, their hopes of returning home dashed amid political resistance in Canberra and brutal conditions on the ground.
On 16 February 2026 , a convoy of 34 Australians (11 women and 23 children) most of whom are relatives of deceased or jailed IS fighters, attempted to depart al-Roj under Kurdish military escort toward Damascus and onward to Australia.
Syrian authorities blocked their exit near Qamishli after issuing a warning they would be attacked if they crossed into government-controlled territory. The distressed group was forced back to the camp, where some children have never known life outside tents.
Inside al-Roj, recorded voices of children describe their desire for simple freedoms — ice cream, cartoons and safety — underscoring their plight amid a growing humanitarian controversy.
Some of the detained mothers have publicly urged Canberra to repatriate their children separately, a plea that has added urgency to the debate.
New South Wales is preparing reintegration plans for some returnees, while federal leaders grapple with security concerns and public backlash over the potential repatriation of those linked to extremist networks.
Debate continues over whether Australia should bring home vulnerable children or leave them in camps that critics call unsafe and unjust.
Image Source: ABC News