Four ISIS wives who were repatriated from a camp in Syria have landed in Australia.
Saturday morning at 6.20 a.m., their Emirates flight left Dubai and arrived at Sydney Airport ahead of schedule.
Following their removal from the al-Roj camp near the Iraqi border by Australian officials and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the women were joined by their 13 children.
As the ISIS brides landed at the airport, there was a large police presence, and they are anticipated to be escorted to a guarded hotel to relax.
They will then be debriefed by authorities before returning to their communities and extended families while officials deliberate whether any of them should be charged.
The evacuations occurred after the Cabinet’s national security committee finalized preparations to return more than a dozen families who underwent ‘risk assessments’ in the wake of a covert ASIO operation to Syria.
Australian intelligence authorities feel that leaving Australians in deplorable camps poses a greater threat to national security than repatriating them, as their hardship could be used to persuade more Australian Muslims to join terrorist organizations.
As it was unlawful for many at the time to travel to Syria and Iraq, it is believed that all of those returned will be subject to intensive monitoring by security authorities and that some will face terrorism charges.
Earlier this month, a spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil stated, “The first priority of the Australian government is the protection of Australians and the provision of national security advice.”
Due to the sensitivity of the issues at hand, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Since its unveiling, the government’s proposal has received severe criticism.
Karl Stefanovic stated earlier this month that ISIS families should not be permitted to return to Australia after leaving to join their husbands fighting for the terrorist organization.
‘I believe that if you decide to go overseas with someone to fight for Islamic State, you are making the decision as a family, and you should not be permitted to return here,’ he said.
Previously, though, veteran ADF intelligence analyst Shane Healey told The Project that Australia was “absolutely” obligated to bring the families home.
“I don’t see how we can send refugees from Sudan, Afghanistan, and other war-torn nations while leaving Australian residents in such a dire position.”
He emphasized that women and children rescued from the detention center will not be immediately transported to Australia and will require additional evaluation before they can return home, a process that might take months.