A south-west Sydney teenager is believed to have died in a Syrian jail months after begging the Australian government for assistance.
Yusuf Zahab, 17, had been detained in Guweiran prison in Hasaka city alongside suspected members of the Islamic State for three years when it was attacked by IS in January in an attempt to free its fighters.
His family said they were “heartbroken and angry” to learn of the death of their child, describing him as a caring and compassionate boy with a happy upbringing.
“Yusuf didn’t need to die,” they said. “The previous Australian government knew about Yusuf’s predicament for more than three years … we are unaware of any efforts to support, care or inquire about him.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs said its ability to provide consular assistance to Australians in Syria was “deeply limited” because of the dangerous security situation.
“The Australian government remains deeply concerned about the situation of Australians in northeast Syria, including the welfare of those detained in prisons and other detention centres,” the spokesperson said.
“We are seeking to confirm reports an Australian has been killed in Syria. The Australian government has offered consular assistance to Yusuf’s family.”
Yusuf was 11 when he travelled to the newly declared Islamic State caliphate in north-east Syria with his parents and siblings, and 14 when he was separated from his mother and sister after the fall of IS and imprisoned.
Because he was over 12, he was sent to the children’s section of the adult prison without charge.
During fighting between IS militants and Kurdish-led forces at Guweiran prison in January, Yusuf’s audio recording begging for help made it outside the jail and was widely publicised.
At the time, the Syrian Democratic Forces said they wouldn’t take responsibility for the 700 boys detained in the prison as the fighting continued, amid reports of fatalities and children being used as human shields.
The violence broke on 20 January after a car bomb was detonated in an attempted jailbreak.
“I’m Australian,” Yusuf repeated in phone-recorded audio clips amid the fighting. “I’m scared I might die any time … people are screaming next to me. People are scared. I really need help. I really want to come back home.”
His family said the “terror in his voice” was palpable and, while the cause and exact time of his death was unknown, he had suffered severe injuries at the time, including head wounds.
“In the final messages we received from Yusuf, he asked us to tell his mum that he loved and missed her,” they said.
At the time the then foreign affairs minister, Marise Payne, said Australia didn’t have diplomatic representation in Syria and the government had been “very clear” about the challenges citizens, whether children or adults, who had travelled there faced.
At least 63 Australians, including more than 40 children, remain in Syrian camps, according to Save the Children Australia estimates.
The reported death has led to renewed calls for the remaining women and children stuck in makeshift detention camps in north-east Syria to be repatriated by the Australian government as a “matter of urgency”.
Save the Children Australia’s chief executive, Mat Tinkler, said Yusuf’s death was a “shocking and terrible tragedy”.
“We repeatedly warned the previous government of the risks to Australian children who have been trapped in Syria for more than three years,” he said.
“Our worst fears are now a devastating reality for this young Australian. This deeply troubling news should serve as a wake-up call for the current government.
“It has never been clearer that time is running out.”
Tinkler said there had been reports that some of the boys in the Roj camp, now approaching their early teens, may also soon face removal from their mothers to an adult prison.
Yusuf’s family said they had received reports that the camp was unable to look after the numbers of occupants. “There are children who are severely malnourished, some with shrapnel wounds that need surgery, and others with severe illnesses,” they said.
The family remained detained in Syria and were were waiting to be repatriated. They said Kurdish authorities had asked for help from the Australian government and the US had also offered its assistance.
“Other Australian children will also die unless immediate action is taken,” they said. “We are pleading with the Albanese government. Please repatriate the remaining Australian women and children … before another life is lost.”
The Islamic Council of Victoria said the circumstances leading to the teen’s death weren’t “altogether clear” because Australian authorities hadn’t tried to intervene.
“Other countries have successfully repatriated their citizens including our allies,” it said.
“The UN and human rights organisations have reported the cruel, inhumane and dangerous conditions and have repeatedly called upon Australia to repatriate its citizens. To no avail.
“Australia has the legal system to deal with returnees … the families and the community are ready to throw their arms around the women and children … all that is missing is the will to make it happen.”
Payne, the department of foreign affairs and the foreign affairs minister, Penny Wong, have been contacted for comment.
