Overview
- Syrian authorities returned the 34 to Roj after procedural or documentation problems halted their planned journey via Damascus.
- The group comprises women and children from 11 families; relatives arrived to escort them, and camp officials reported seeing temporary Australian passports that the government has not confirmed.
- Anthony Albanese said Australia will provide no support or repatriations and warned that anyone who returns could face the full force of the law.
- Australia has brought home only small numbers since 2019, and a 2024 court ruling rejected a bid by Save the Children to compel broader repatriations.
- Regional detention practices are shifting as Syria takes control of the al-Hol camp and the United States transfers more than 5,700 suspected ISIS fighters to Iraqi custody.