A group of Australian women and children linked to the Islamic State arrived in Australia on Thursday, with four women and nine children returning from a camp in northeast Syria. The Australian government had announced that the returnees would receive no government assistance, with some facing arrest upon arrival.

The returnees traveled from Syria to Australia via Doha, with one woman and her child arriving in Sydney and being taken into custody by police. A second group arrived in Melbourne, where a heavy police presence was reported at the airport.

The Australian Federal Police had earlier stated that some members of the group could be arrested and charged on arrival, while others might remain under investigation. The children are expected to enter community reintegration and support programs.

The return of the Australian women and children is part of a broader effort to repatriate individuals detained in Syrian camps, with the Australian government having repatriated four women and 13 children in 2022. About 21 Australians remain in the al-Roj camp in northeast Syria.

The court proceedings for those arrested are expected to commence in the coming days, with the Australian government yet to comment on the group's travel plans and the arrests made at the airports. The Australian Federal Police will continue to investigate the individuals and determine the necessary course of action.