Deadline passes with no word from group holding US hostage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The fate of an American civilian taken hostage in Iraq remains unknown after a deadline set by his captors for the US to withdraw from Fallujah passed.
The fate of an American civilian taken hostage in Iraq remains unknown after a deadline set by his captors for the US to withdraw from Fallujah passed.
Thomas Hamill, who works for Kellogg Brown and Root, a subsidiary of the construction and engineering firm Halliburton, was captured when a fuel convoy he was guarding came under fire.
A videotape sent by his captors to al-Jazeera demanded the withdrawal of US troops from Fallujah, stating: "If you don't respond within 12 hours ... he will be treated worse than those who were killed and burnt in Fallujah" referring to the four Americans whose bodies were mutilated.
Mr Hamill's capture on Friday was discovered when an Australian cameraman came across a car containing him and his captors. Mr Hamill reportedly told the cameraman he was in a convoy that had been ambushed.
Then a tape delivered at the weekend to al-Jazeera showed a subdued Mr Hamill in front of an Iraqi flag, while a voiceover quoted him as saying: "I am in good shape. I hope to return home one day, and I want my family to know that these people are taking care of me, and provide me with food, water and somewhere for me to sleep."
Mr Hamill went to work in Iraq on a one-year contract after incurring debts from a failed dairy business. "With this job, he saw a way to help get us back on track," his wife, Kellie, told The Beacon newspaper in Macon, Mississippi. Mrs Hamill said: "I don't really know anything; we don't know anything ... Prayers are all we need." The couple have a son and daughter.
The Mayor of Macon, Dorothy Baker Hines, plans to have flags and ribbons put up around town. "We're going to do everything we can to support his family," said the mayor, who knows Mrs Hamill from her work as an emergency dispatcher, a job from which she is on leave while recovering from heart surgery.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments