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3w ago

Australian Families’ Attempt to Leave Syrian Camp Hits Snag After Reported Intervention

Australia denies orchestrating any repatriation, saying any returnees will face the full force of the law.

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Members of Australian families believed to be linked to the Islamic State militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. The families later returned to the detention center due to "technical reasons," two sources told Reuters. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
Female members of the Syrian Democratic Forces secure the area as vans carrying family members of suspected Islamic State militants who are Australian nationals head to the airport in Damascus during the first repatriation operation of the year at Roj Camp in eastern Syria, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. Thirty-four Australian citizens from 11 families departed the camp. (AP Photo/Baderkhan Ahmad)
Members of Australian families believed to be linked to the Islamic State militants leave Roj camp near Derik, Syria February 16, 2026. The families later returned to the detention center due to "technical reasons," two sources told Reuters. REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Overview

  • Camp officials said 11 Australian families — 34 women and children — departed Roj for Damascus as part of a route intended to lead home.
  • Multiple outlets later reported the convoy was turned back to Roj following Syrian government intervention, with some sources describing the issue as technical or procedural.
  • Roj camp authorities said relatives traveled from Australia to accompany the group and planned to continue via Beirut to seek passports at the Australian embassy.
  • The Australian government stated it will not repatriate people from Syria, while security agencies are monitoring any independent returns and warn of possible prosecutions.
  • Roj still holds roughly 2,200 people from dozens of nationalities, as a recent ceasefire and planned handovers to Syrian authorities complicate operations and NGOs warn children remain at serious risk.