ASIO says 70 children of Australian foreign fighters trapped in Syria and Iraq conflict zones

SEVENTY children of Australian jihadis are now in Syria and Iraq and there are fears authorities may struggle with their future attempts to return home.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation figures show the number of Australians fighting with terror group ISIS is dropping as they are killed off.

THERE are about 70 children of Australian foreign fighters in the Syria and Iraq conflict zones, leaving security agencies grappling with how to deal with their return.

The news came as Immigration Minister Peter Dutton called for more power to stop Australian jihadis returning home.

Australian Security Intelligence Organisation figures also reveal the number of Australians fighting with terror group ISIS is dropping as they get killed off, from 120 to just over 100 in the past 18 months, while there have been 64 confirmed killed since ISIS declared its “caliphate” in 2014.

Almost all of the Aussie jihadis killed have been under 30, with the youngest aged 18.

ASIO director-general Duncan Lewis said the age of Australians under investigation for involvement with ISIS had been getting younger. He said most were aged 15-24, compared with three years ago when they were 25-35.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull yesterday said changes in legislation had made it easier for the Australian Air Force to target terrorists and that ISIS’s “so-called caliphate’’ was near the end.

“This is a struggle where we are determined to destroy the enemies, the terrorist enemies we face in the Middle East,” Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Lewis confirmed yesterday there were about 70 children of foreign fighters in the conflict zone, who had either been brought over from Australia or born there.

Plans are being drawn up on how to deal with them, if and when they return.

Mr Dutton yesterday said he was working with the Prime Minister to strengthen legislation to prevent the return of foreign fighters.