Australian fighter returns from IS front line
Reporter: Denham Hitchcock | Producers: Alex Garipoli, Naomi Shivaraman
March 22, 2015, 7:00 pm
SN ART Australian fighter returns from IS front line
A Melbourne father of two who went to fight against Islamic State has returned home after breaking Australia's newest terror law.
George Khamis is an Iraqi-born call-centre operator from Melbourne.
He joined an Assyrian militia called Dwekh Nawsha, which translates as "self sacrificers" and was stationed just two kilometres from IS –held town Batnaya.
The Australian government has recently passed a new terror law that criminalises Australians travelling to fight for, or against, Islamic State. It is a crime punishable by life in prison.
In August last year Islamic State ransacked the town of Baqofa but were forced back —the Dwek Nawsha is stationed there to hold the line against the rebels.
"Basically I’m here to defend my land. My people, against Islamic State," Khamis told Sunday Night reporter Denham Hitchcock.
"It’s not an easy thing to make that decision, to come all the way from there to here, far far away in a danger zone."
Khamis has lived in Melbourne for 23 years and left behind a wife and two kids there. "They were not happy. Anything could happen to me. I might not even return," He said.
Despite the Australian government passing new laws to make fighting for or against Islamic State Illegal, Hitchcock said the number of Australians there is likely to increase.
"The Australian government has recently passed new terror laws, and those terror laws do not differentiate whether you’re fighting for Islamic State or whether you’re fighting against Islamic State.
"Returning home, you may have been fighting for Kurdistan but you will be treated as if you are fighting for Islamic State, essentially, as if you’re a terrorist."
It is believed Islamic State has recruited over 20,000 foreigners to fight to come and help take control of Iraq.
"We know the number of Australians fighting for Islamic State, the department of foreign affairs has put the number at 92 which is extraordinary."
"But there are Australians fighting against them... and that's who we went to see."
Khamis had to face the full force of these new laws when he returned home to Melbourne.
"I have been asked this question if I am breaking the law but sometimes even the law itself is not that clear"
Khamis is a known by many officials to be a foreign fighter and didn’t know if he would be allowed to return home.
He was detained in Abu Dabi for several hours.
"Questions. Lots of questions. Where have you been, family members, what exactly have you been doing with Dwekh Nawsha , your journey, how long was it, when are you coming back?"
Khamis was questioned through the night again after arriving in Melbourne.
He has been released but told more agencies will want to speak with him.
As yet, he has not been charged with any crime.
"Unfortunately it is very serious and I am still concerned."
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