Syria calls on Australia to find solution after refusing to repatriate 'ISIS bride' group
Moderated by Tomas Kauer 
Syria said Australia has refused to repatriate a group of women and children with alleged ties to Islamic State, while calling on Canberra to help find a solution.
Four women and nine children obtained Australian passports and left the Al-Roj camp on Friday for a flight out of Damascus International Airport.
They are all part of the larger group of 34 Australians – 11 women dubbed the ISIS brides and 23 children – who have spent seven years at the remote facility following the fall of the caliphate in 2019.
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Syria's information ministry told the Associated Press the group of 13 were turned back before reaching the airport after the foreign ministry was informed that "the Australian government had refused to receive them".
"These families are still awaiting a solution, which can only be achieved through co-ordination with the relevant international parties," the information ministry said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters yesterday his government was providing "no support for repatriation and no assistance for these people".
Similarly, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told reporters from Beijing yesterday that the federal government has "made its position in relation to these individuals very clear that we are not assisting in their repatriation".
The group had attempted to return to Australia in February but were forced to return to the camp on an unspecified technicality.
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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was able to temporarily ban one woman from entering Australia but had no legal grounds to deny passports or temporarily ban any others.
At least some of the women could face criminal charges if they return to Australia.
The group's recent attempts to return have sparked fierce debate.
Labor and the Coalition both agree the group should not be allowed into the country, while the Greens and organisations such as Save the Children Australia are calling for the children to be returned safely.
9news.com.au has contacted the office of the Home Affairs Minister for comment.
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