Kurdish authorities release 34 Australians linked to jihadists from Roj camp

Monday 16 February 2026 - 13:45

By: Sahili Aya

Kurdish authorities release 34 Australians linked to jihadists from Roj camp

Kurdish authorities announced on Monday the release of 34 Australians connected to jihadists from the Islamic State (IS) group who had been detained at the Roj camp, according to the camp’s director.

The released individuals belong to 11 families associated with IS fighters. With this action, no Australians remain in Kurdish custody at the camp. Witnesses, including AFP photographers, reported seeing women—some fully veiled—and children carrying their belongings as they left the facility.

The move is part of ongoing efforts by Kurdish authorities to manage detainees from IS-controlled areas in northeast Syria, where camps like Roj have housed foreign nationals linked to extremist groups. Security and humanitarian concerns remain high as officials balance the release of civilians against the risk of radicalization or security threats.

Authorities emphasized that the release followed careful assessments of the individuals involved, with attention to both legal and security considerations. International monitoring continues in the region to ensure the safe reintegration of returnees and to manage broader security risks in areas formerly controlled by IS.