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Australian taken to Syria as a boy may avoid Iraq trial and return home on passport, sources say

Yusuf Zahab, 23, was transferred by US forces from a Syrian prison to Iraq but Iraqi investigators reportedly found he never supported or fought for Islamic State

By LineZotpaper
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Yusuf Zahab, the Australian taken as a boy to live under Islamic State, could be on the verge of returning home after Iraqi investigators concluded he was not a combatant or supporter of the group, according to sources close to his family. Zahab, now 23, was snatched from a Syrian prison by American soldiers and transferred to Iraq in February as part of a mass prisoner transfer, but two sources say he has been told he will not be prosecuted because he was a minor when taken to Syria.

Yusuf Zahab was 12 years old when his parents brought him to live in the so-called caliphate. He is the only male among a group of 35 Australians — including 34 women and children — who were issued Australian passports earlier this year as part of a family-led effort to bring them home.

That effort was complicated when US forces, responding to a deteriorating security situation in north-eastern Syria, transferred 5704 prisoners to Iraq, including Zahab and 12 other Australian detainees. In Iraq, many of those transferred now face trial on terror charges and could face the death penalty.

However, two sources — one of them close to Zahab's family — say he has been told he will not be prosecuted. "Iraqi investigators that have met with him found that he never took up arms or supported the death cult and had never been involved in anything that made him a combatant, supporter or adherent," one Australia-based source said.

Human Rights Watch senior counterterrorism advisor Letta Tayler issued a scathing report on Monday about the prospect of fair trials in Iraq and the responsibility of governments to repatriate their citizens. The report did not specifically name Zahab but highlighted the risks facing those transferred.

The Australian government has issued Zahab a passport, meaning he could travel home once Iraqi authorities release him. It remains unclear when or if that release will occur.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • Zahab is one of 13 Australians transferred to Iraq who could face the death penalty; his case tests whether minors taken to conflict zones will be held accountable or returned.
  • The Australian government's decision to issue a passport to only him among the male detainees signals a potential shift in its approach to repatriating citizens from the former Islamic State territory.
  • A resolution could set a precedent for dozens of other Australians, including women and children, still stranded in Syrian camps.

Background

Yusuf Zahab was taken by his parents to live in the Islamic State caliphate at age 12. After the caliphate fell, he was held in a Syrian prison. In February 2026, as family members travelled to Syria to attempt the return of so-called ISIS brides, the United States transferred Zahab and 12 other Australians to Iraq along with thousands of other prisoners. The Australian government has faced political pressure over the fate of its citizens detained in the region.

Key Perspectives

Yusuf Zahab's family: They believe he should be allowed to return to Australia because he was a child when taken and never participated in violence. Their sources say Iraqi investigators agree. Human Rights Watch: Senior advisor Letta Tayler has criticised the prospect of fair trials in Iraq, warning of systemic due process failures and the risk of the death penalty. Australian government: Has issued Zahab a passport but has not publicly commented on the case. Government policy has been cautious about repatriating adults who lived under Islamic State, balancing security concerns with humanitarian obligations.

What to Watch

  • Whether Iraqi authorities formally decide not to prosecute Zahab and authorise his release.
  • Any Australian government statement or diplomatic action to facilitate his return.
  • The fate of the other 12 Australians transferred to Iraq, who may face trial and possible death sentences.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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