ASIO in the news for Iran-linked antisemitic attacks probe and handling ISIS returnees amid Australia’s security debates. Chief: head of ASIO testifies on anti-hate response.
Thirteen Australian women and children linked to ISIS are returning from al-Roj camp in Syria. Authorities say some will be arrested on arrival; others are under ongoing investigation. The group’s return prompts questions over legal action, security, and welfare for children.
Australian authorities have confirmed four women and nine children detained in Syria’s al-Roj camp have planned to travel home. Some will be arrested on arrival while others face ongoing investigations; children are set to enter reintegration programs. The government has reiterated it will not provide assistance for returnees.
Public hearings in Australia’s Royal Commission are examining antisemitism and security at the Bondi Beach attack site. ASIO has tied Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to two antisemitic attacks, prompting the expulsion of Iran’s ambassador in August 2025. The inquiry focuses on police security at the Hanukkah event and the broader spike in antisemitism since 2023.