Australia's Labor government has said that around 13 nationals detained in Iraq — including the husbands of two so-called ISIS brides and several men suspected of fighting for Islamic State — would face the "full force of the law" if they returned home. The men, held in cramped and dangerous prison conditions in Baghdad since Islamic State fell in 2019, are due to be questioned by US officials and Iraqi authorities about their alleged involvement with the group, and the interrogations could lead to some being released. The prospect of their release has raised questions about where they would go and whether they might attempt to return to Australia, placing national security pressure on the Albanese government.

Health Minister Mark Butler told Sunrise that the men would receive no government assistance to come home and that, if they crossed Australia's borders, they could face charges, as has already happened to the women. Butler noted there are strict constitutional limits on what the government can do to prevent citizens from returning. One of the group is believed to be Mohammed Ahmad, husband of Kawsar Abbas and father of Zeinab Ahmad — two women now facing court proceedings in Australia after being charged with allegedly enslaving a Yazidi woman following their return from Syria.