Children with links to Islamic State will be asked to take part in deradicalisation programs after touching down in Australia with four women on Thursday evening.
The nine children, who are understood to be Australian citizens, are likely to receive taxpayer-funded support as part of their reintegration into Australian society.
Three women – Janai Safar, Kawsar Ahmad, also known as Abbas, and Zeinab Ahmad – were arrested at Sydney and Melbourne international airports when they arrived with the children on Thursday.
Zahra Ahmad was flanked by supporters as she left Melbourne Airport on Thursday. (Nine)
Kawsar Ahmad during her arrest at Melbourne Airport on May 7, 2026. (Australian Federal Police)
A fourth woman, 33-year-old Zahra Ahmad, walked free from Melbourne Airport alongside the eight children the group was travelling with.
“Victoria Police and the AFP are now working very closely in relation to this matter,” Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny said.
The children living in Victoria are expected to be offered support from government services and will be “asked to undertake countering violent extremism programs”, a Victorian government spokesperson said.
Zahra, the widow of an Islamic State recruiter, is expected to be monitored by local and federal police.
She will be eligible for a range of support, such as rental assistance and parenting payments.
“Clearly these people are Australian citizens, they have some rights in respect of that,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said.
Court sketches depict Kawsar Ahmad, also known as Abbas, and Zeinab Ahmad during bail applications in Melbourne on May 8, 2026. (Nine)
Meanwhile, Zeinab Ahmad and Abbas have been charged with slavery offences.
It’s the first time Australian law is being used to prosecute citizens for allegations of slavery committed overseas.
The mother and daughter will face a bail hearing in Melbourne on Monday.
Safar remains behind bars in NSW, on charges of entering a prohibited area and being a member of a terrorist organisation.
A further 21 Australian women and children remain in refugee camps in north-eastern Syria.
The federal government insists, like this latest group, that they are not being offered support to return to Australia.
“When the Coalition was in government, we saw 40 people come back and not just brides, but actual ISIS fighters come back to this country,” Marles said.
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