Dead: The pair have been reported to have died fighting for ISIS in Mosul
Both Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar have been pictured holding the heads of slaughtered Syrians in images shared on social media
A pair of Australians who have been pictured joyously brandishing the heads of slaughtered Syrians are dead after fighting for ISIS in Iraq, it has been claimed.
Intelligence agencies are examining reports that Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar died fighting in the city of Mosul, which is currently held by the Islamic terrorist group.
The news comes after Sharrouf's seven-year-old son horrified the world a year ago, when he was photographed holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier by the hair.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, described it as "one of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photographs ever displayed".
Disgust: A child, 7, raised in the suburbs of Sydney, struggles with both arms to hold up the decapitated head of a slain Syrian soldier
Australia's foreign minister Julie Bishop said that Sharrouf's death would have to be verified before Australia considers repatriating the family.
"We understand that there are family members in Syria or Iraq and should these reports be verified, then we will try to be in contact with them," she told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
But the government will not guarantee that the family can return.
"It would depend very much on the circumstances and the advice that we receive from our intelligence agencies at the time," Ms Bishop said.
Khaled Sharouf: Intelligence agencies are investigating the reports of his death
Sydney-born Sharrouf, who was also a Lebanese national, was a prime target of legislation to be introduced to Parliament this week that would allow terrorists who are dual nationals to be stripped of their Australian citizenship.
The government estimates that up to half the Australians who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight for Islamic State are dual citizens.
The government has also passed contentious new laws that make it a criminal offence to even visit Mosul or the IS stronghold of al-Raqqa province in Syria, where the Sharrouf family was thought to be based.
Terrorist: Mohamed Elomar chose to travel to Syria to fight for ISIS
Sharrouf was among nine Muslim men accused in 2007 of stockpiling bomb-making materials and plotting terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities. He pleaded guilty to terrorism offences in 2009 and served less than four years in prison.
He slipped out of Australia in late 2013 using his brother's passport because his own had been cancelled. Ms Nettleton later took their children to Syria to reunite with her husband.
Her father, Peter Nettleton, said his son-in-law's reported death filled him with joy.
Both Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar have been pictured holding the heads of slaughtered Syrians in images shared on social media
A pair of Australians who have been pictured joyously brandishing the heads of slaughtered Syrians are dead after fighting for ISIS in Iraq, it has been claimed.
Intelligence agencies are examining reports that Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar died fighting in the city of Mosul, which is currently held by the Islamic terrorist group.
The news comes after Sharrouf's seven-year-old son horrified the world a year ago, when he was photographed holding the severed head of a Syrian soldier by the hair.
John Kerry, the US secretary of state, described it as "one of the most disturbing, stomach-turning, grotesque photographs ever displayed".
Disgust: A child, 7, raised in the suburbs of Sydney, struggles with both arms to hold up the decapitated head of a slain Syrian soldierAustralia's foreign minister Julie Bishop said that Sharrouf's death would have to be verified before Australia considers repatriating the family.
"We understand that there are family members in Syria or Iraq and should these reports be verified, then we will try to be in contact with them," she told Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
But the government will not guarantee that the family can return.
"It would depend very much on the circumstances and the advice that we receive from our intelligence agencies at the time," Ms Bishop said.
Khaled Sharouf: Intelligence agencies are investigating the reports of his deathSydney-born Sharrouf, who was also a Lebanese national, was a prime target of legislation to be introduced to Parliament this week that would allow terrorists who are dual nationals to be stripped of their Australian citizenship.
The government estimates that up to half the Australians who have travelled to Iraq and Syria to fight for Islamic State are dual citizens.
The government has also passed contentious new laws that make it a criminal offence to even visit Mosul or the IS stronghold of al-Raqqa province in Syria, where the Sharrouf family was thought to be based.
Terrorist: Mohamed Elomar chose to travel to Syria to fight for ISISSharrouf was among nine Muslim men accused in 2007 of stockpiling bomb-making materials and plotting terrorist attacks in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's largest cities. He pleaded guilty to terrorism offences in 2009 and served less than four years in prison.
He slipped out of Australia in late 2013 using his brother's passport because his own had been cancelled. Ms Nettleton later took their children to Syria to reunite with her husband.
Her father, Peter Nettleton, said his son-in-law's reported death filled him with joy.
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