Four Corners: Sept 30

In a Four Corners investigation, Dylan Welch reports on “Married to Islamic State”, as former brides of Islamic State reveal the extraordinary details of their lives in the IS caliphate.

“It’s quite a story.” 25-year-old Australian woman

In a baking hot detention camp in Syria, a large group of Australian women and children are being held indefinitely. They’re the remnants of the Australian contingent who lived under Islamic State. The Australian Government has branded them a “significant security threat” and made it clear it does not want them back.

“These are not innocent women who have taken their children into the theatre of war.” Peter Dutton, Home Affairs Minister

There are 20 women and more than 40 children stuck in the al-Hawl camp. Who they are and how they got there has until now, remained secret. Now for the first time, their stories are being told.

“Ask me all the questions you want. I’ll give all the answers you want. I have nothing to hide.” 25-year-old Australian woman

In this exclusive Four Corners investigation, the former brides of Islamic State reveal the extraordinary details of their lives in the IS caliphate.

“Most of us didn’t even come willingly here.” 28-year-old Australian woman

“I found that I was in Syria. Did I have a heart attack? Of course…I chucked the biggest tantrum. Did it work? No, I’m still here.” 25-year-old Australian woman

Tracing their journeys from quiet Australian suburbia to the streets of the Middle East and now the al-Hawl camp, the program will expose the network that led them to Islamic State and reveal the key figure at the centre of it.

“Looking back and piecing it together, I realised that he must have had more influence than what I was led to believe in the early days.” Father

Their families in Australia are also speaking out for the first time, in the knowledge that going public will bring judgement and attention.

“I’ve been told to keep it private with the government officials that I’ve been dealing with. And I’ve not spoken about this publicly before. I’ve not spoken to many people, outside of a very close number of friends.” Father

They too, want answers as to how the women came to be living under Islamic State.

“I want to know why she left, why she ended up (like) this, and wreck her life and our life…But in the end, she’s my daughter.” Mother

In the face of new security laws passed in Australia that could see them prevented from returning anytime soon, the women insist they are not a threat. They are begging the Australian government to let them come home.

“I’d like the Australian government to know that we’re actually broken. We’re shattered. We are broken people.” 28-year-old Australian woman

Most of the 40-odd children are aged five and under. The program examines the difficult question facing both Australian and Kurdish authorities – whose responsibility are they now?

“I want to go back home and I miss my sisters…. I miss you.” 9-year-old Australian girl

Monday 30th September at 8.30pm on ABC.