Australians linked to the Islamic State have found an opportunity to leave Syrian detention camps as local forces shift control and repatriation processes evolve.
The detention camps of Al-Hawl and Al-Roj in north-eastern Syria have been a persistent issue since the peak of IS activity in 2019, housing over 70,000 detainees, including the families of IS fighters. With the Kurdish-led forces transitioning control back to the Syrian government, particularly after the fall of Al-Hawl to government forces, this has initiated a desperate situation for many detainees, leading several to attempt to escape amidst the chaos. In contrast, the Al-Roj camp remains under Kurdish control, though its future is uncertain as discussions of repatriation gain momentum among various nations depending on the status of their citizens.
