After Attorney-General George Brandis updated the nation on the death toll for Australians fighting in Syria and Iraq last week, news emerged on Sunday regarding around 12 Australians who feel tricked and want to return home. Also on Sunday, reports revealed that two young Sydney women—including an 18-year-old—have flown to the region to offer themselves as jihadi brides.
The group of men either made direct contact with Australian authorities, or asked their families to assist them. The Herald Sun reported on Sunday that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) have been told of men who now feel duped after they enlisted to fight against the Syrian military, but now find themselves in conflict with Shi'ite Muslims. They were part of around 70 Australians who continue to support the Islamic State (IS).
However, members of the group that has laid down arms find themselves in a difficult predicament. After Foreign Affairs Minister, Julie Bishop, secured bipartisan support for a new counter-terrorism law that makes it illegal for Australian's to travel to Syria's Al-Raqqa province in October, the disillusioned men also expressed fears of what will happen to them if they return to Australia. Ms Bishop's bill was passed through both houses of parliament and offenders face a 10-year prison term if they are present in the region for reasons other than visiting a family member, humanitarian support, or professional journalism.
The two Sydney females flew out of Australia around a fortnight ago, and misled their families about their intentions. The media reported that the pair, Hodan, 18 and Hafsa, 20, are connected to the Somali community and represent the first-ever Australian case of females travelling to the Middle East for such a purpose. Two young Austrian women, both under 20 years of age, gained attention in April after they left their parents a note that read, "Don't look for us. We will serve Allah—and we will die for him." However, like the Australian men, they reportedly wanted to return home in October.
Although Mr Brandis announced a call of support last week, telling Australians in Syria and Iraq who wish to stop fighting with IS that they are "encouraged to contact family members or authorities", a spokesperson for DFAT said in response to Sunday's news that consular aid is no longer available in the region. In terms of the prospective brides, Ms Bishop told Sky News on Sunday that she is deeply concerned, and advised that a focus will be maintained on the families, as they will "be the ones that can detect changes in behaviour, or determine what their children are up to".