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| Tara Nettleton, widow of Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf, dies in Syria – reports | Tara Nettleton, widow of Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf, dies in Syria – reports |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The widow of Australian Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf has reportedly died in Syria, leaving her five children now stranded in Raqqa, an Isis stronghold. | The widow of Australian Islamic State fighter Khaled Sharrouf has reportedly died in Syria, leaving her five children now stranded in Raqqa, an Isis stronghold. |
| Tara Nettleton is believed to have died from complications following an operation for appendicitis in September. Nettleton followed Sharrouf to Syria from Sydney. | Tara Nettleton is believed to have died from complications following an operation for appendicitis in September. Nettleton followed Sharrouf to Syria from Sydney. |
| In August 2014, Sharrouf posted a photo to his Twitter account of his son holding up the severed head of a dead Syrian soldier. | In August 2014, Sharrouf posted a photo to his Twitter account of his son holding up the severed head of a dead Syrian soldier. |
| Related: Australian Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf may have survived drone strike: report | Related: Australian Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf may have survived drone strike: report |
| A family friend, Robert van Alst, told Fairfax Media that Nettleton died last year, but her mother, Karen Nettleton, had not been told of her death until recently. | A family friend, Robert van Alst, told Fairfax Media that Nettleton died last year, but her mother, Karen Nettleton, had not been told of her death until recently. |
| Karen Nettleton’s lawyer, Charles Waterstreet, told the ABC she had been desperate to get her daughter and grandchildren out of Syria. Nettleton had made contact with Australian authorities requesting assistance to get out, he said. | Karen Nettleton’s lawyer, Charles Waterstreet, told the ABC she had been desperate to get her daughter and grandchildren out of Syria. Nettleton had made contact with Australian authorities requesting assistance to get out, he said. |
| “On my own behalf and on her behalf I request the Australian government do everything that they possibly can to get those children away from danger and to get them out and bring them home,” Waterstreet said. | “On my own behalf and on her behalf I request the Australian government do everything that they possibly can to get those children away from danger and to get them out and bring them home,” Waterstreet said. |
| Waterstreet said Karen Nettleton feared the publicity around her daughter’s death would place her grandchildren at greater risk and make them a target. | Waterstreet said Karen Nettleton feared the publicity around her daughter’s death would place her grandchildren at greater risk and make them a target. |
| “It puts the children at a great danger,” Waterstreet said. | “It puts the children at a great danger,” Waterstreet said. |
| To the Australian government, he said: “It’s about time you did something to help our little Australian children who have suffered and are suffering, not just now but for years. They are innocent, young kids.” | To the Australian government, he said: “It’s about time you did something to help our little Australian children who have suffered and are suffering, not just now but for years. They are innocent, young kids.” |
| Guardian Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. | Guardian Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. |
| Sharrouf was killed along with Isis fighter Mohamed Elomar last year following a drone strike but Sharrouf’s death was initially uncertain after only Elomar’s body was found. Sharrouf’s daughter later confirmed his death. Sharrouf and Elomar travelled to Syria together in 2013. | Sharrouf was killed along with Isis fighter Mohamed Elomar last year following a drone strike but Sharrouf’s death was initially uncertain after only Elomar’s body was found. Sharrouf’s daughter later confirmed his death. Sharrouf and Elomar travelled to Syria together in 2013. |
| The immigration minister, Peter Dutton, said he was unable to confirm the media reports of the death but “if there’s an Australian citizen of any age, and most definitely children, regardless of circumstance, we will provide consular assistance”. | |
| In an interview with 2GB, Dutton avoided making any specific commitment about the children’s return to Australia, saying the government would prioritise public safety. | |
| He raised concern about any parent being “crazy enough or dangerous enough” to take children into such a dangerous environment and suggested the experience would “obviously scar those children for life”. | |
| When asked about the previous photo of one of the children holding up a severed head, Dutton said: “It’s a barbaric act and I can only imagine what else these children have been exposed to. It shows how evil and pervasive this death cult is and we need to stare it down.” |