Melbourne woman who returned to Australia in 2025 charged with joining ISIS
Authorities in Victoria have charged a 34-year-old Melbourne woman with joining the Islamic State group after she travelled to Syria in 2013 or 2014. The woman, identified as Rayann El Houli, returned to Australia from Lebanon in September 2025.
The arrest follows early Thursday morning searches conducted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP) at residences in the Melbourne suburbs of Fitzroy North, and Broadmeadows. These actions are part of a broader investigation known as Operation Kurrajong.
Ms. El Houli is expected to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court facing charges of being a member of a terrorist organisation and entering or remaining in a declared area. Both offences carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The Scope of Operation Kurrajong
Operation Kurrajong is a joint initiative involving the AFP, the domestic spy agency ASIO, and state and territory police via Joint Counter Terrorism Teams. The operation specifically targets individuals alleged to have travelled to Syria during the ISIS caliphate.
During the searches in northern Melbourne, police seized documents, photographs, electronic devices, and a suspected stolen motor vehicle. Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Libby Murphy stated that holding individuals who have committed serious offences to account is essential for community safety.
A Pattern of Returnees
This arrest is part of a wider trend of adult female returnees from Syria. AFP Deputy Commissioner National Security Investigations Hilda Sirec noted that four women have been charged in New South Wales and Victoria over the past three weeks for terrorism, slavery, or crimes against humanity.
Other recent returnees include Janai Safar, who was charged in Sydney with being a member of a terrorist organisation. In Melbourne, Kawsar Ahmad and her daughter Zeinab Ahmad were charged with crimes against humanity related to allegations of keeping a slave in Syria.
19 women and children linked to the Islamic State group recently arrived in Sydney and Melbourne from the al-Roj camp. While their devices were downloaded and belongings searched, no immediate arrests were made in that specific group.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Deputy Commissioner Sirec described these investigations as “highly complex,” citing the difficulty of accessing overseas witnesses and gathering evidence from conflict zones. She emphasized that a lack of immediate charges does not mean an investigation has ceased.
Looking ahead, the AFP may continue to investigate all recent adult female returnees who spent time in Syrian internally displaced persons camps. Depending on the evidence obtained, further charges could potentially be laid against other returnees.
Law enforcement agencies are likely to continue making operational decisions on a case-by-case basis as they process downloaded data from electronic devices and interview returnees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum penalty for the charges faced by the Melbourne woman?
The charges of entering or remaining in a declared area and being a member of a terrorist organisation both carry a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Which camps in Syria have the returnees been linked to?
The returnees have been linked to the al-Hawl and al-Roj displaced persons camps in northern Syria.
Who is involved in Operation Kurrajong?
This proves a joint operation consisting of the AFP, ASIO, and state and territory police through Joint Counter Terrorism Teams.
How should governments balance the need for national security with the legal complexities of gathering evidence from foreign conflict zones?