The withdrawal of US troops from northeast Syria has caused panic and confusion among the 66 Australian women and children who are stuck in refugee camps in the region.
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds confirmed that the Australian government is in no rush to bring them back, telling reporters on Tuesday that they “will not be endangering the lives of other Australians.”
Advocates of the Australian women and children believe the government has just days to act before Turkey could invade, conflict resumes, and seize control of the area leaving these refugees trapped in a war-zone.