Three women with links to the jihadist Islamic State (IS) group have been arrested upon returning to Australia after years in detention in Syria. All are Australian citizens. Police arrested Kawsar Abbas, 53, and Zeinab Ahmed, 31, on arrival in Melbourne, while Janai Safar, 32, was arrested after landing in Sydney. A fourth woman in the group, which includes nine children, was not arrested.

The group has sparked heated political debate in Australia, with the government stating it would provide no assistance for their return. The children, aged from about six to their mid-teens, will receive psychological support and be assessed for possible radicalization.

Australia is among several countries grappling with the return of citizens and their children from Syria after the IS caliphate was dismantled in 2019. Human rights groups say tens of thousands of foreigners, most under 18, are held in life-threatening conditions in IS camps across Syria.

The Melbourne group had been held in al-Roj camp since 2019, including grandmother Kawsar Abbas, her adult daughter Zeinab Ahmed, another daughter Zahra Ahmed, and their eight children. Kawsar Abbas is married to Mohammad Ahmad, who ran a charity suspected by Australian police of funneling cash to IS.

Janai Safar, who flew into Sydney, was accompanied by her nine-year-old son born in Syria. A former nursing student, she traveled to Syria in 2015 and reportedly married an IS fighter. Police Commissioner Krissy Barratt confirmed some women face charges including terrorism offenses and crimes against humanity such as slave trading.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the government learned of the women's return on Wednesday when tickets were booked. "These are people who have made the horrific choice to join a dangerous terrorist organization and to place their children in an unspeakable situation," he told reporters. Spy chief Mike Burgess said he was not "concerned immediately" but the group "will get our attention as you'd expect."

Source: www.bbc.com