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Following a covert expedition by the nation’s security intelligence agency, media outlets claimed on Monday that Canberra is preparing to rescue scores of Australian women and children of Islamic State fighters from refugee camps in Syria.
Reports that 16 women and 42 children of Islamic State fighters who were killed or imprisoned and were detained in camps for three and a half years will be returned were not immediately confirmed by the administration.
According to national security advice, the protection of Australians and Australia’s national interests is the Australian Government’s top priority, according to a spokesperson for Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil.
Further remark would not be acceptable given the delicate nature of the issues involved.
O’Neil didn’t respond right away to her opposition counterpart’s demand that the government reassure Australians that anyone who may have been radicalised wouldn’t be a problem if they returned home.
Around 40 Australian children are residing in a camp in Syria, according to Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek, who also revealed that some of their moms were deceived into marrying Islamic State members when they were very young.
I believe it will be crucial that they have counselling when they return to Australia, especially the children, Plibersek stated on Channel 7 television.
The idea that our security and intelligence agencies will keep in touch with them and keep an eye on them, she added, will be a constant for everyone concerned.
In 2019, Australia first intervened in a Syrian refugee camp to save eight children and the grandchildren of two deceased Islamic State members, but has delayed returning any additional refugees until now.
