Authorities arrested three women with links to ISIS as they arrived in Sydney and Melbourne on Thursday evening, with their return to Australia sparking dramatic scenes and an airport scuffle.
Melbourne grandmother Kawsar Abbas, as well as her adult daughters Zahra and Zeinab, and former nursing student Janai Safar all landed in Australia after weeks of speculation over the timing of their return and whether they had received any assistance from the Albanese government.
Ms Abbas and her daughters, who were also travelling with eight children, landed in Melbourne, while Ms Safar, who was travelling with one child, landed in Sydney.
Australian Federal Police immediately swooped in to arrest three of the women upon arrival, with four officers escorting Ms Safar from her flight after it landed at just after 5:30pm.
An unknown man, who was seemingly accompanying the former nursing student and her nine-year-old son, was also led off the plane by police.
At around 6:40pm, two unmarked police cars, one reportedly containing Ms Safar, arrived at Mascot Police Station, where it is believed the woman was questioned.
In Melbourne, a group of around 20 people, most wearing black, arrived at the city’s airport around 5:30pm to await the arrival of Ms Abbas, her daughters and the children they were travelling with.
Some of the group appeared to be friends and relatives of the women, while others were acting as security escorts.
As in Sydney, AFP officers are believed to have immediately arrested two of the ISIS-linked women upon arrival.
Ms Abbas and her daughter Zeinab Ahmed were detained by authorities.
A short time later, Abraham Abbas, a relative of Ms Abbas, and one ISIS bride then became caught in a scuffle as they attempted to leave the airport.
As the pair and the eight children they were accompanying entered the arrivals terminal a group of around 10 men greeted them, pushing through media who were attempting to speak to the woman.
More of the security group followed, physically and verbally pushing back anyone who attempted to get close to the ISIS-linked woman and children, which resulted in a scuffle as some photographers and camera operators stood their ground.
Officers from Victoria Police became involved as they attempted to disperse the crowd and ease tension.
After a chaotic few minutes the group successfully exited Melbourne airport and boarded a small bus which took them from the scene.
While none of the three women arrested on Thursday were immediately charged, AFP Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt used a press conference to announce all were accused of separate Commonwealth offences.
Ms Abbas is expected to be charged with enslavement, possessing a slave, using a slave, and engaging in slave trading, while her daughter Zeinab is expected to be charged with enslavement and using a slave.
Ms Safar is expected to be charged with entering or remaining in a declared terror area and being a member of a terrorist organisation.
Assistant Commissioner Nutt confirmed all three will appear before state courts once charged.