Updated On: 18 February, 2026 10:41 AM IST | Melbourne | Agencies
The Australian government has declined to repatriate 34 women and children from Syria over alleged links to the Islamic State group. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the group, comprising members of 11 families, would not be allowed to return to Australia

REPRESENTATION PIC/X/@AzatAlsalim
The Australian government will not repatriate from Syria a group of 34 women and children with alleged ties to the militant Islamic State group, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Tuesday.
The women and children from 11 families were supposed to fly from Syria to Australia, but Syrian authorities on Monday turned them back to Roj detention camp because of procedural problems, officials said.