Australian Doctor Who Joined ISIS Found Alive in Iraqi Prison After Years of Being Presumed Dead

An Australian-trained doctor who left his medical career to join the Islamic State (ISIS) more than a decade ago has been found alive in an Iraqi prison, overturning years of reports that he had been killed during the group's final battles in Syria.

Tareq Kamleh, 41, is currently being held in a high-security prison in Baghdad after Iraqi authorities confirmed he survived the fall of ISIS's self-declared caliphate. The discovery has reignited debate in Australia over the prosecution and possible repatriation of citizens accused of joining foreign terrorist organisations.

According to Australia's ABC News, Kamleh is among 13 Australian men linked to ISIS who remain detained in Iraq.

Kamleh was born in Perth and graduated in medicine from the University of Adelaide in 2010. He later worked in hospitals in Australia before travelling to Syria in March 2015, where he joined ISIS.

He became one of the group's most recognisable English-speaking members after appearing in ISIS propaganda videos encouraging doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to travel to territory controlled by the extremist organisation.

Australian authorities subsequently revoked his medical registration, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) issued terrorism-related warrants against him.

In 2017, reports circulating from ISIS-linked sources claimed Kamleh had been killed during fighting in Raqqa, Syria. For years, he was widely presumed dead.

However, documents released by Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council have now confirmed that Kamleh survived and was captured in Syria in 2019 before being transferred to Iraqi custody.

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According to documents released by Iraq's Supreme Judicial Council, Kamleh told investigators that he did not participate directly in combat operations but instead worked within ISIS's so-called Health Department, where he treated injured fighters.

The judicial documents allege that investigators found evidence linking him to several ISIS-operated medical facilities across territory controlled by the group. Iraqi authorities further allege that he moved between these facilities providing medical treatment to wounded ISIS members.

The court documents also allege that investigators recovered evidence suggesting Kamleh participated in ISIS propaganda activities and promoted extremist ideology through media messages supporting the organisation.

These allegations have been made by Iraqi authorities and have not been independently tested in an Australian court.

Shortly after arriving in Syria, Kamleh, who reportedly used the alias Abu Yusuf al-Australi, appeared in a professionally produced ISIS propaganda video filmed inside a hospital. In the video, he treated an infant while urging Muslim healthcare professionals from around the world to migrate to ISIS-controlled territory.

Another propaganda video released during the Battle of Raqqa in 2017 showed him carrying an assault rifle while delivering pro-ISIS messages.

Australian authorities have long maintained that Kamleh's appearances formed part of ISIS's international recruitment campaign.

Following the release of the first propaganda video, Australia's Medical Board suspended his registration, while the AFP sought his arrest on terrorism-related offences, including allegedly joining and recruiting for a terrorist organisation.

The revelation that Kamleh is alive prompted strong reactions from Australian political leaders.

In an interview with 7 News, Senior Labor minister Clare O'Neil said Kamleh should remain imprisoned.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke also said the Australian Government would not assist Australian men who voluntarily joined ISIS to return home.

According to ABC News, Burke said the government would use every legal mechanism available to prevent the return of Australians who joined terrorist organisations voluntarily, while acknowledging that constitutional limits exist regarding Australian citizens.

One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson also criticised the possibility of Kamleh returning to Australia. In a media release issued on July 22, Hanson said the government should take "every conceivable step" to prevent the Australian-born ISIS member from re-entering the country, arguing that those who joined terrorist organisations had forfeited any claim to Australian citizenship.

She also criticised the government's handling of Australians detained overseas over alleged ISIS links.

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Kamleh remains one of 13 Australian men detained in Iraq over alleged links to ISIS.

According to Iraqi judicial officials, any future transfer or return to Australia would require legal cooperation between the Iraqi and Australian governments. No decision has been announced regarding whether Kamleh will face trial exclusively in Iraq or whether Australia may seek his return.

(Rh/ARC/MSM)