Hodan Abby, a so-called 'ISIS bride', has been barred from returning to Australia due to a temporary exclusion order imposed by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke. Abby and her nine-year-old child, who has serious medical issues, were forced to stay in Damascus after the order prevented them from boarding a flight to Australia. They can't travel to Australia because of this order.

Abby, who fled to Syria in 2015 to join the Islamic State, had hoped to return to Australia with her child. However, the temporary exclusion order, which was imposed in February, has stopped her from doing so. The order extends for two years unless a court strikes it down or the minister issues a return permit. It's a two-year ban, and it won't be lifted unless a court intervenes or the minister makes an exception.

The Australian government has confirmed that seven women and 12 children, including one young woman who just turned 18, have left Syria and are on their way to Australia. Four women and six children are expected to land in Sydney, while two more women and seven children are expected in Melbourne. They're part of a group of Australian citizens who travelled to Syria to live under the Islamic State caliphate. Since the defeat of the Islamic State in 2019, they've been living in tents in various camps in north-eastern Syria.

The women and children are part of a group that's been living in difficult conditions. They've been in Syria since they travelled there to live under the Islamic State caliphate. The return of the women and children has sparked controversy, with some senior Coalition figures demanding that the government find a way to block their return. Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie told Sky News that the government had failed to properly manage the group's return, saying 'their job is to protect Australians, and these people betrayed their country'. He didn't specify how the government should've managed the return.

Save the Children Australia chief executive Mat Tinkler has called for the safety and wellbeing of the returning children to be the priority, saying 'their childhood has been badly interrupted, and they deserve to be given the space they need to safely reintegrate into the community and rebuild their lives in Australia'. He's concerned about the children's welfare, and he wants the government to prioritize their needs. The children's lives have been disrupted, and they need support to recover.

The return of the women and children is the result of the Albanese government's refusal to bring them home since 2022. The government had issued the group one-use-only passports after DNA testing in 2022, but they've withheld other assistance. They won't provide any further help, and that's caused controversy. The government's decision hasn't been popular with everyone, and it's sparked debate about their responsibilities.

Abby's child has shrapnel in her back and hip, which has caused delayed speech and development. The child's medical issues have made it difficult for her to walk, and she needs medical attention. However, the Australian government has said it won't provide consular assistance to Abby and her child. They can't get help from the government, and that's a problem. The child's condition is serious, and she requires treatment.

The interim Syrian government in Damascus has said it would look after the pair. Abby had the option of sending her daughter back to Australia with the other mothers, but she elected not to. She chose to stay with her child, and that's why they're still in Damascus. The Syrian government has offered to help them, but it's not clear what that means.

The return of the women and children has raised questions about what will happen to them next. At least some of the women in the latest group are expected to face criminal charges, but neither the government nor the Australian Federal Police has said what those might be, nor whether there would be arrests at the airport. It's unclear what'll happen to them, and that's causing uncertainty. They might face charges, but it's not clear what they'll be charged with.

Liberal frontbencher Andrew Hastie told Sky News, 'The government's being very passive here. Their job is to protect Australians, and these people betrayed their country.' He's criticizing the government's approach, and he thinks they should be more proactive. The government's response hasn't been strong enough, according to Hastie.

In a statement, Burke reiterated that the Australian government 'has not and will not provide any assistance to this group'. The government's refusal to provide assistance has earned the condemnation of child advocates, including Save the Children and Human Rights Watch. They're criticizing the government's decision, and they think it's wrong. The government won't change its mind, and that's final.

An earlier return on May 7 marked the first time globally the Syrian government has allowed IS-linked women and children to travel without the direct involvement of a national government. The move could set a precedent for family advocate groups from other Western countries to follow. It's a significant development, and it might have implications for other countries. The Syrian government's decision is a first, and it's being watched closely.

  • 19 Australian women and children have left Syria
  • 7 women and 12 children are on their way to Australia
  • 1 woman, Hodan Abby, and her child are stuck in Damascus due to a temporary exclusion order
  • The order extends for two years unless a court strikes it down or the minister issues a return permit
  • The child has shrapnel in her back and hip and needs medical attention
  • The Australian government won't provide consular assistance to Abby and her child
  • At least some of the women in the latest group are expected to face criminal charges