Iraqi refugee in Colorado works to bring family in Erbil to safety

World Today

Throughout the globe, many people fear for family members located in northern Iraq. In the U.S. state of Colorado, one man is doing what he can to bring his family to safety. CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reports.

Iraqi refugee in Colorado works to bring family in Erbil to safety

Throughout the globe, many people fear for family members located in northern Iraq. In the U.S. state of Colorado, one man is doing what he can to bring his family to safety. CCTV America's Hendrik Sybrandy reports.

Follow Hendrik Sybrandy on Twitter @hsybrandy

Raad Abdulahad is tired, worried and very nervous. His parents, sister, her husband and their two kids are among countless refugees who’ve landed in Erbil, Iraq. The Islamic State or IS, the terrorist group that’s grabbed the world’s attention, is a mere 25 miles away.

Abdulahad and his family are Christian, a religious group that’s become a prime target for IS. His family lived in Mosul, escaped to a smaller town, then moved once again when IS drew near.

“It took them about 11 hours of driving because everybody was packed, all these thousands of people fleeing from these towns to the town of Erbil,” said Abdulahad.

The 33-year-old Iraqi man ended up in Denver four years ago. He repairs cars for a living, but said fixing his family’s situation from a distance is proving to be much more difficult. Abdulahad said they’re in real danger.

A group of Denver community leaders joined together to say it is time for IS to be attacked head-on.

Abdulahad is reluctant to criticize the country that’s provided him with a home and an opportunity, but he too believes the people of Iraq must be helped.

“Being sorry or compassionate is not enough. There has to be an action to stop all that violence against innocent people,” said Abdulahad. “Something has to be done.”

He calls his parents as often as he can, and is still figuring out ways to get them out of the country. Now, he said, it’s the world’s turn.