Australia to launch rescue mission for women and children trapped in Syrian detention camps

Exclusive: More than 20 Australian women and more than 40 children related to Islamic State combatants held in al-Hawl And Roj camps

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The Australian government is preparing to launch a mission to rescue dozens of Australian women and children trapped in Syrian detention camps.

More than 20 Australian women and more than 40 children - the widows, sons and daughters of slain or jailed Islamic State combatants - remain within the al-Hol and Roj detention camps in north-east Syria.

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