Australia refuses to repatriate ISIS-linked citizens from Syria after failed escape attempt

Australia’s prime minister said the country will not repatriate ISIS-linked citizens held in Syria after 34 Australian women and children trying to leave the Al-Roj detention camp for Damascus were blocked by Syrian authorities; departure procedures were reportedly incomplete. The episode underscores ongoing international pressure to repatriate foreign nationals from Syrian camps, with NGOs warning of rights abuses and some countries already moving forward, while Australia insists anyone returning would face the full force of the law.