An Australian mother of four, Rayann El Houli, was held in custody after appearing in court charged with traveling to Syria and joining the Islamic State group.

She was arrested in Melbourne months after returning to Australia with her children and another woman from Lebanon.

Authorities say she is part of a broader series of recent returns of women and children from Syrian camps linked to IS, several of whom have also been charged with terrorism-related offenses.

El Houli faces charges including entering a declared conflict zone and joining a terrorist organization, both carrying potential prison terms of up to 10 years, the AP has reported.

She remains in custody as her bail application is considered, while multiple related cases involving other returnees are also under investigation.