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Man held captive by Syrian government speaks after moving to Arizona

Posted at 6:08 PM, Apr 07, 2017
and last updated 2017-04-07 22:17:58-04

As the world reacts to the US air strikes in Syria, many refugees from the country who have re-settled in the valley are expressing relief and feeling a sense of hope, knowing someone is finally standing up to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Among those refugees is a 34-year old man now re-settled in Mesa with his wife and three children.  He asked us to call him "Mike".  Although he feels a sense of safety here in America, "Mike" said he did not want to show his face as he worried about retaliation against his family members left behind in Syria.

"Mike" said he had experienced firsthand, the ruthlessness and brutality of the Assad regime.  In a country gripped in violence and fear, amid everyday stories of kidnappings by government forces from both sides, "Mike"  was traveling between Lebanon and Damascus for business when he says his car was surrounded by three men wearing Syrian government uniforms.  They claimed to work for Assad, and held him captive for 12 days in exchange for one million dollars.

"Mike" said he suffered beatings and electrocutions, as his kidnappers called his family and demanded the ransom.

"I'm feeling I want to die. I hope I die.  12 days not eating, 12 days not going to restroom," said "Mike".

His kidnappers finally released him after his father agreed to pay them $27,000 and gave them his car.

Now, his hips are held together with metal screws.  The scars of his abuse still haunting him, "Mike" was deemed eligible to apply for refugee status by the United Nations, and began his journey to move his family to America.

Watching Arabic news via satellite from the comfort of his Mesa home, he cried for the children injured in the recent chemical attack.

"The children, they want to go to school to learn. Why?  Why kill them.  Why?" said "Mike".

He expressed happiness to see the airstrikes launched by the US on Thursday.

"I'm very happy yesterday, do you know what? I'm very happy. I hope for the President Mr. Trump for bombing all the airports. When they bomb all the airports, Bashar Assad, they can't do anything.  They will die automatic," said "Mike".

He said he was initially skeptical about President Donald Trump, but after the airstrikes, he felt deep appreciation and gratitude toward the President.

"Now I hope,  I hope that Mr. Trump to stand with Syrian refugees," said "Mike".

As he watched the state run Syrian newscast on his satellite TV, "Mike" mocked the newscasters, saying it was obvious they worked for the government as they were trying to portray a sense of "normalcy" and saying the airstrikes had made no difference in the lives of people living in Syria.

"She is saying everything is normal, it's normal.  She is a liar," said "Mike".

His only worry now, his parents, siblings and cousins still living in Syria.

As the world reacts to the US air strikes in Syria, many refugees from the country who have re-settled in the valley are expressing relief and feeling a sense of hope, knowing someone is finally standing up to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Among those refugees is a 34-year old man now re-settled in Mesa with his wife and three children.  He asked us to call him "Mike".  Although he feels a sense of safety here in America, "Mike" said he did not want to show his face as he worried about retaliation against his family members left behind in Syria.

"Mike" said he had experienced firsthand, the ruthlessness and brutality of the Assad regime.  In a country gripped in violence and fear, amid everyday stories of kidnappings by government forces from both sides, "Mike"  was traveling between Lebanon and Damascus for business when he says his car was surrounded by three men wearing Syrian government uniforms.  They claimed to work for Assad, and held him captive for 12 days in exchange for one million dollars.

"Mike" said he suffered beatings and electrocutions, as his kidnappers called his family and demanded the ransom.

"I'm feeling I want to die. I hope I die.  12 days not eating, 12 days not going to restroom," said "Mike".

His kidnappers finally released him after his father agreed to pay them $27,000 and gave them his car.

Now, his hips are held together with metal screws.  The scars of his abuse still haunting him, "Mike" was deemed eligible to apply for refugee status by the United Nations, and began his journey to move his family to America.

Watching Arabic news via satellite from the comfort of his Mesa home, he cried for the children injured in the recent chemical attack.

"The children, they want to go to school to learn. Why?  Why kill them.  Why?" said "Mike".

He expressed happiness to see the airstrikes launched by the US on Thursday.

"I'm very happy yesterday, do you know what? I'm very happy. I hope for the President Mr. Trump for bombing all the airports. When they bomb all the airports, Bashar Assad, they can't do anything.  They will die automatic," said "Mike".

He said he was initially skeptical about President Donald Trump, but after the airstrikes, he felt deep appreciation and gratitude toward the President.

"Now I hope,  I hope that Mr. Trump to stand with Syrian refugees," said "Mike".

As he watched the state run Syrian newscast on his satellite TV, "Mike" mocked the newscasters, saying it was obvious they worked for the government as they were trying to portray a sense of "normalcy" and saying the airstrikes had made no difference in the lives of people living in Syria.

"She is saying everything is normal, it's normal.  She is a liar," said "Mike".

His only worry now, his parents, siblings and cousins still living in Syria.