In the first such rescue by the Western country, Morrison confirmed media reports that eight children were taken from a camp in northern Syria on Sunday and the government was working on repatriating them.
“The opportunity now is for these young children who are coming back to Australia,” Morrison told reporters in the western city of Perth. “They can’t be held responsible for the crimes of their parents.”
Aged between two and 18, those rescued include the three surviving children of ISIS militiaman Kahled Sharrouf, photographed standing next to his young son holding a severed human head in a picture that made global headlines in 2014.
The two daughters of his pregnant daughter, Zaynab Sharrouf, and the three offspring of slain militiaman Yasin Rizvic were also rescued, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said.
An Australian government spokesman declined to comment further or confirm the children’s identities to Reuters.
“They have got off to a horrible start in life as a result of the appalling decisions of their parents, and they’ll find their home in Australia and I’m sure they’ll be embraced by Australians,” Morrison said.
The children would stay in a safe location in Iraq until Zaynab Sharrouf gives birth and officials will run medical and psychological checks on the children, the Australian newspaper said.
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