Iraqi Living In Texas Worries About Family During Air Strikes
DALLAS (CBS 11 NEWS) - As U.S. forces launch air strikes against militants in Iraq, Munir Captain applauds. The 26-year-old grew up in Iraq, and now lives in Dallas. But he's worried about his parents who've tried to get out of Baghdad since June.
"I'm gravely concerned, not just for them, but the entire country," he said. "I have hundreds of family members and thousands of friends."
Captain, two of his brothers, and parents sought refuge in the U.S. in 2009. But his father and later his mother returned to Iraq after Al Qaeda executed Captain's uncle, aunt, and six cousins.
Captain said his uncle was a judge, and rejected Al Qaeda's bribes to stop prosecuting their members. "At first, they tried bribing him to the point they offered him about $1 million dollars. I'm not going to tell you the derogatory terms my uncle used."
Munir explained that before leaving Iraq he served as a commander in the U.S. Constituted Iraqi special forces. He was trained by U.S. Special Forces, and says he survived dozens of assassination attempts.
"Some people say it was a miracle, some people say I was favored by deity. Some people say it was my training."
As the now North Texan worries about the militants' sweep through Iraq, he can't help but remember his 19-year-old brother. He was murdered three years ago this month.
Captain says both his brother and 15-year-old cousin were killed -- because they were artists. "They had long hair, they were wearing shorts, they were listening to music, laughing, and they didn't like that."
Captain's youngest brother is now in the U.S. Navy. He's looking forward not only to his parents' safe return, but in October will become a U.S. citizen.
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