19 Australian Women and Children Linked to ISIS Land in Sydney and Melbourne

Nineteen Australian women and children linked to Islamic State have landed in Australia after more than seven years trapped in camps in Syria. They arrived in Sydney and Melbourne on flights from Damascus, via Doha, and were allowed to leave the airports without being arrested.

The group, which includes seven women and 12 children, were given the option of leaving the airport with the help of the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, or going out the public entrance. In Melbourne, the Australian Federal Police told reporters that the women and children had been processed and let out a side door, in a move arranged by family members.

Authorities' kid-gloves treatment is a tacit admission that they mishandled the previous return of women and children on May 7. That event saw frenzied scenes, including airport arrests, private security guards, and a scuffle in Melbourne. Sources close to the returned families say those events had traumatised children who were already fragile after growing up for seven years in camps. They didn't receive the support they needed, and it's likely that they'll need ongoing care.

The return of this group means that, apart from one woman subject to a temporary exclusion order, Hodan Abby, and her child, all the Australian so-called IS brides are now out of Syria for the first time since the end of the so-called Islamic State caliphate in March 2019. It's a significant development, as it marks the first time these women have been back in Australia since the caliphate's collapse.

The women returning to Sydney are Nesrine Zahab, who was 21 when she claims she was tricked into going into Syria by her cousin and IS recruiter Muhammad Zahab; Aminah Zahab, Muhammad’s wife, and Sumaya Zahab, Muhammad’s sister. Hyam Raad, about whom little is known, is the fourth woman returning to Sydney. She doesn't have a well-documented history, and it's unclear what her experiences were like in Syria.

Two more women, accompanied by seven children, landed in Melbourne. They are Kawsar Kanj, about whom little is known, and Kirsty Rosse-Emile, the daughter of two former Christians who converted to Islam when she was nine. Kirsty's sister Krystle told the ABC in February that Kirsty was married at 14 to a much older man who was a friend of her father’s. Krystle said her sister had been groomed to go to Syria. It's a disturbing story, and it highlights the vulnerabilities that some of these women faced.

The Australian citizens left the al-Roj camp in north-eastern Syria late last week in a trip organised and funded by family members. Among them was one young woman who just turned 18 and who is the daughter of one of the so-called ISIS brides. They're relieved to be back in Australia, but they're also facing a lot of uncertainty. They don't know what the future holds, and they're not sure what kind of support they'll receive.

Abby and her nine-year-old daughter – who requires medical treatment for a series of shrapnel wounds – were denied permission to board the flight in Damascus. They had tickets to Sydney, but the airline turned them back because the Albanese government had imposed a two-year temporary exclusion order on the mother. Abby elected to keep her child with her, even though her daughter has serious medical issues caused by shrapnel wounds she suffered as a baby. She won't leave her daughter's side, and it's understandable given the circumstances.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in question time, "I have nothing but contempt for anyone who has any sympathy with ISIS". It's a strong statement, and it reflects the government's stance on the issue. The Australian government has said it won't provide consular assistance to Abby and her child. Sources close to the family group have confirmed Abby will challenge the permit in the Federal courts, though that application hasn't yet been lodged. They're waiting for the right moment to take action.

The return of the women and children has sparked a debate about the government's handling of their return. Opposition home affairs spokesman Jonno Duniam told the ABC that the government had “gone from actually controlling who comes into our country and making determinations about who they want to let in and who they want to keep out, to outsourcing this stuff. They're not taking a strong stance, and it's causing concern. The government should be taking a more proactive approach to dealing with these issues.

Save the Children Australia chief executive Mat Tinkler said on Tuesday the safety and wellbeing of the returning children – who make up two-thirds of the group – should be the priority. They're the ones who are most vulnerable, and they need our support. The community is waiting to see how the government will handle the situation, and what support will be provided to the women and children as they adjust to life back in Australia. It's a complex issue, and it requires a thoughtful approach.

• 19 Australian women and children linked to Islamic State have arrived in Sydney and Melbourne.
• The group includes 7 women and 12 children.
• They were not arrested, but they may face charges later.
• The women and children were trapped in Syrian camps for over 7 years.
• One woman, Hodan Abby, and her child were denied permission to board the flight due to a temporary exclusion order.

The Australian government's decision to impose a temporary exclusion order on Abby has raised questions about the government's handling of the return of the women and children. The order extends for two years unless a court strikes it down or the minister issues a return permit. It's a significant decision, and it has implications for Abby and her child. They're not sure what the future holds, and they're waiting for a resolution.

The Australian Federal Police have said that they will monitor the women and children, but it's unclear what measures will be taken to ensure their safety and wellbeing. The community is waiting to see how the government will handle the situation, and what support will be provided to the women and children as they adjust to life back in Australia. They need help, and they deserve it. The government should be providing more support, and it's unclear why they're not taking a more proactive approach.