Save the Children is taking legal action to bring back eight Australian women and their 18 children who are currently detained in a refugee camp in Syria. The group is being held by the Autonomous Administration of North East Syria (AANES) and the Syrian Democratic Forces. There are concerns about the legality of their detention and why some women and children have been repatriated while others have not. Save the Children argues that the Australian government has made an informal decision not to repatriate the latest group. The CEO of Save the Children visited the camp and stated that it is not a suitable place for children. The group consists of wives, widows, and children of suspected ISIS fighters. They are at significant risk. Save the Children’s legal representative claims that the AANES wants foreign governments, including Australia, to repatriate their citizens from the camp. The women are all Australian citizens. Previous repatriations have raised questions about why some were allowed to return while others were not. Save the Children requested a decision from the government in May but inferred that the lack of a response meant they had chosen not to repatriate the group. The case argues that the detention violates international law, Syrian law, and the rules of the AANES. Both sides are hoping for an early hearing of the case, citing the potential destabilization of the situation in Syria. Save the Children described the legal action as a last resort after years of engaging with various governments. They expressed concern for the well-being of the children who feel abandoned by their country.