Return to Homeland: 34 Australians Freed from Syrian Camps

In a significant development, Syrian Kurdish forces have released 34 Australians from a camp in northern Syria. The camp, known as Roj, holds families of suspected Islamic State militants. The Australians are slated to fly back to their homeland from Damascus.

Hukmiya Mohamed, co-director of Roj camp, confirmed to Reuters that the release involved family members traveling to Syria for the occasion. The group was transported in small buses to the Syrian capital, marking a crucial step in resolving the humanitarian crisis.

The Roj camp accommodates more than 2,000 people, predominantly women and children from 40 nationalities. Since the Islamic State's defeat in 2019, these camps have held thousands believed linked to the militants. This release coincides with broader efforts, including a U.S. military mission transferring detainees to Iraq.