Nineteen Australian women and children linked to Islamic State departed Syria for Australia on Monday night, while one woman, Hodan Abby, and her nine-year-old daughter were left behind after the federal government imposed a temporary exclusion order preventing her return.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke confirmed that seven women and 12 children were travelling back to Australia, with arrivals expected in both Sydney and Melbourne.Abby’s daughter reportedly suffers ongoing medical complications from shrapnel wounds sustained as a baby during the Syrian conflict.According to the report, Abby travelled from western Sydney to Syria in 2015 at the age of 18 with the intention of becoming a jihadi bride.Her friend, who travelled with her, was later killed in Syria.

Government sources stated that Abby had arranged travel home but was stopped from boarding a flight in Damascus because of the exclusion order introduced in February.Although her daughter was eligible to return to Australia, Abby chose not to separate from her.

The Albanese government has maintained that it provided no assistance to the group’s return, despite law enforcement and intelligence agencies preparing for years to monitor and manage returning Australians linked to Islamic State.Some women returning to Australia may face criminal investigations or charges, though authorities have not publicly detailed potential offences.Coalition politicians criticised the government’s handling of the repatriation, arguing stronger measures should have been taken to prevent returns.

Human rights organisations and child advocates, including Save the Children Australia, urged authorities to focus on the welfare and reintegration of the children, many of whom have spent years living in camps in north-eastern Syria following the collapse of the Islamic State caliphate in 2019.