An Australian paediatrician, Tareq Kamleh, who joined ISIS in Syria in 2015, is currently imprisoned in Iraq. Previously believed to be deceased, Kamleh – dubbed ‘Doctor Jihad’ – has been confirmed to be alive and held by Iraqi authorities. The Australian Minister has stated he should remain in the Iraqi jail. Details surrounding his capture and current condition are limited. This revelation challenges previous assessments of foreign fighters’ fates in the region. The Minister’s comment signifies Australia’s unwillingness to repatriate the doctor, despite potential legal and ethical concerns regarding his citizenship. His case raises questions about the handling of returning or detained foreign fighters and the complexities of dealing with individuals who joined terrorist organisations.