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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
(35 minutes 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 and a grandchild now stranded and in hiding 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 after an operation for appendicitis in September. Nettleton followed Sharrouf to Syria from Sydney with their children in 2014.
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. Their eldest daughter, who is now 14, was married to Isis fighter Mohamed Elomar last year when she was just 13 and in September, gave birth to a child.
Related: Australian Isis fighter Khaled Sharrouf may have survived drone strike: reportRelated: 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. Her mother, Karen Nettleton, had not been told of her daughter’s death until recently. Karen Nettleton’s lawyer, Charles Waterstreet, told Guardian Australia her grandchildren had broken the news to her.
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. “They were trying to protect her from the pain, so they only told her about her death in the past two weeks, he said. “However Tara died, we believe, last year.”
“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. She had been desperate to get her daughter, grandchilden and great grandchild out of Syria, he said. Nettleton had made contact with Australian authorities last year, he said, requesting assistance to get out.
“It’s almost Shakespearean, the tragedy of this situation, and has Shakespearean consequences in the potential level of disaster,” he said.
“Anyone who is a position to help these children should, inside or outside of Syria.”
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. “She’s very upset that the knowledge has become public but is vitally concerned for the welfare of the children, including her great grandchild who is two months old,” 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.” “They have no protection in Syria where they are, and implore the Australian government to assist in protecting them.”
Guardian Australia has contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs for comment. He and the family in Australia did have some contact with the children, he said.
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. “At the moment they’re unable to go outside, they have no one to protect them, and the streets are very dangerous places. People are literally falling down in the streets from starvation. We’re trying to get them money but with no success. They all want to come home.”
Sharrouf was killed along with 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”.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.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”.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.”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.”