In an unusually lengthy statement from the reclusive mother, Ms Nettleton revealed that she received a knock at the door a few days ago from a man informing her that Elomar was dead and her son-in-law, Sharrouf, was missing and presumed dead. It is now thought Khaled Sharrouf survived a drone attack in Iraq. She said she immediately thought of Tara and her 14-year-old daughter Zaynab, who she says was forced to marry Elomar a few months ago. "My heart broke for [them], alone in a troubled and dangerous country, but I was so relieved by the news that they were alive and unharmed," she said. Ms Nettleton said that, with the likely deaths of Elomar and Sharrouf, her daughter and grandchildren were in need of help more than ever.

"[They] more than ever need the love and care of their family to help them recover from the trauma, abuse and terrors of war they have experienced," she said. Karen Nettleton and her daughter Tara. "Unlike millions of displaced people in Iraq and Syria, they have a place to come home to." The federal government said on Tuesday they were close to verifying the death of Elomar but details on Sharrouf remained sketchy. Tony Abbott says Khaled Sharrouf's children will be treated like any other children of criminals if they return to Australia.

Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop said no decision will be made on whether Sharrouf's wife and children can return to Australia until they have confirmed reports of his death. In December 2013, Ms Nettleton flew to Malaysia with her daughter and five grandchildren to help them secretly travel to Syria to meet up with Sharrouf. Zaynab Sharrouf (left) with two of her siblings. However, she appears to have had a complete about-face in recent weeks, begging for them to be allowed back home. "They want to come home," she said. "My daughter made the mistake of a lifetime. Today she is a parent alone in a foreign and vicious land looking after a widowed 14-year-old and four other young children."

She said that fears for the safety of Tara and the children escalated a few months ago when Sharrouf's car was blown up in what appeared to be a targeted hit. By chance, a local doctor and friend of Tara's was driving the white BMW with his wife and children on board and all were killed. "It seemed to me that the target was Khaled Sharrouf," Ms Nettleton said. "As happens in the fog of war, civilians become victims, or as is so coldly stated, collateral damage. "I don't want my daughter and grandchildren to be collateral damage in this shameful and tragic war. There are so many innocent victims dead, wounded or displaced." She called on the Australian government to use its resources and expertise to save "its own citizens" and called on the public to be open-hearted and show "compassion and empathy".

She ended her statement by quoting from the Bible. "I accept that some will be critical of my daughter, who followed her heart and has paid an enormous price. I implore those people, including our Prime Minister Mr Abbott who is a man of faith, to remember John 8:7: 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her'." It's likely that Tara, who has been photographed firing guns in Syria, will be charged under foreign incursion laws if she returns home. However it is less clear what will happen to her children, who have also been photographed holding guns and severed heads. Zaynab Sharrouf also posted a cryptic tribute to her 31-year-old husband on Tuesday, casting doubt on her desire to come home. Last month, when Fairfax revealed that Ms Nettleton was trying to bring her daughter and grandchildren home, Tony Abbott said the children would be treated no differently to the children of any criminal. He also didn't rule out laying charges against minors.

Other MPs have suggested putting the children into care and stripping Ms Nettleton of her citizenship. However she is not a dual citizen. Renowned lawyer Charles Waterstreet has also been engaged to help bring the family back to Australia.