Orphaned children of Islamic State fighter returning to Australia

Australian children whose father died fighting for Islamic State are expected to be brought back to the country within months.

The children, aged eight to 12, lived with their parents in Melbourne before the family went to Syria in the early days of the conflict, The Australian reports.

Their father was killed in battle and their mother died in unknown circumstances.

The children are believed to be in a Syrian refugee camp, with authorities working to get them to Lebanon or Iraq to be flown back to Australia.

They are among 70 Australians - mostly women and children - believed to be in Syrian camps.

Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said no Australian official would be placed in danger to remove Australian citizens from northern Syria.

“Australian officials cannot facilitate the safe passage of people out of the conflict zones,” Mr Dutton told The Australian.

“When it comes to children, we will deal with each and every case on its merits, but in every single case we will be putting the security of Australians at the top of the list.”