Australia leaves fate of ISIS brides to US military; Labor announces first military support package for Ukraine in over a year
The American military offered to bring back the Australian women and Islamic State children from Syria, but the Australian government blocked the offer by refusing to issue them passports.
For six years, Liberal and Labor governments refused to repatriate the majority of Australian citizens from camps in Syria, saying it would be too dangerous for public servants to travel there.
Estimates released late Tuesday suggested the remaining 37 women and children could be removed by the American military without the need for Australians to set foot in the country.
In a letter written to Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke in August by the families’ representative Kamalle Dabboussy and Save the Children Australia president Mat Tinkler, it is stated that the families are ready to “take control of their own destiny”.
“The U.S. government has offered to provide support for repatriations… Support will be provided by Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve, Syria TCN Repatriation Team, a unit specifically designed to facilitate the repatriation of foreign nationals and has a track record of doing so in a safe and secure manner,” the letter said.
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