Iraqi anti-terror fighter cannot see family in US due to travel ban

World Today

Iraqi anti-terror fighter cannot see family in US due to travel ban

Mohammed Al Hamdani was personally impacted by U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial travel ban, though the police chief, who is from Iraq, has been fighting terrorism for more then a decade.

CGTN’s Michal Bardavid reports.

The world’s biggest fights against terrorism is taking place in Mosul, and Al Hamdani is part of that operation. He said he can understand security concerns by the United States but he disagrees with the travel ban.

“It’s not possible for this decision to change our point of view of America. I have fought side by side with Americans, received help and supervision from them – so I respect them, they have helped us in fighting terror and liberating Mosul,” Al Hamdani said.

Al Hamdani’s wife and 9-year- old son, Ibrahim, currently live in Colorado state.

“A lot of people have their families in the U.S., they can’t be prohibited from seeing their families. Maybe there should be a screening that separates criminals, because there are a lot of people like me I have sacrificed my son, my brother and my mother, they died because of terrorism,” Al Hamdani said.

Many Iraqis find the travel ban to be offensive and unjust. Despite U.S. – Iraq military cooperation, many in Iraq remain furious at the travel ban that has been temporarily suspended for now.

Last month, the Iraqi parliament voted to reciprocate with measures that included banning Americans from entering Iraq. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi rejected the move by parliament and said Iraq will not retaliate against the ban-but instead looks at possible decisions that will not harm national interests.