A 34-year-old woman with alleged links to Islamic State was charged after returning to Australia from Syria in September 2025. [1, 2] The woman, locally identified as Rayann El Houli, traveled to Syria in 2013 or 2014 and was detained by Kurdish forces in 2019. She had been held in the al-Hawl/al-Hol camp in northeast Syria before her repatriation. [1, 2]
The charges against El Houli include being a member of a terrorist organisation and entering a declared conflict zone. Both offences carry maximum penalties of up to 10 years in prison. [1, 2]
In August 2026, additional women and children with alleged links to IS were repatriated to Australia from the al-Roj camp in northeast Syria. [1, 2] Among those who arrived early this month were Kawsar Ahmad and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad. Both have been charged with enslavement-related offences. Kawsar Ahmad faces additional charges of slave trading. [1, 2]
Later in August, Janai Safar arrived in Sydney and was charged with entering a declared conflict zone and being a member of IS. [1, 2]
The Australian government did not assist these women in returning. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, "if you make your bed, you lie in it," referring to their decision to join the conflict. [1]
Advocacy groups have called for the right of return, especially focused on children. However, federal police stress ongoing investigations into all adult returnees. Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec said, "A period of time without charges being laid is not an indicator that investigations have ceased." [2]
All repatriated adults remain under investigation even if they have not yet been charged. Australian authorities continue law enforcement activities related to foreign fighters returning from conflict zones. [1, 2]
