In a heartfelt conversation, Kamalle Dabboussy shares his harrowing journey as a father striving to rescue his daughter, Mariam, and her kids from a war-torn Syria. He reveals the emotional challenges of communicating through chaos, showcasing their reunion in a refugee camp. Kamalle discusses the shifting dynamics in their relationship following Mariam's choices and deeper connections with other families facing similar struggles. The podcast highlights the urgent and complex dilemmas surrounding the plight of families caught in geopolitical tensions.
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Mariam's Plea
Kamal Dabboussy receives concerning texts from his daughter Mariam, trapped in Syria.
She expresses fear for her life and the possibility of dying if not rescued.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mariam's Childhood
Mariam Dabboussy was a stubborn and lively child, eager to explore the world.
Kamal, her father, describes her as his best friend growing up.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Mariam's Marriage
Mariam married Khaled at a young age, despite Kamal's initial objections due to her age.
Kamal eventually accepted the marriage, prioritizing Mariam's choice and happiness.
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Since the fall of the Islamic State, many of the group’s fighters and their families have been held in prison camps controlled by U.S.-allied Kurdish forces. Parents around the world have been trying to get their children and grandchildren out of the camps and back to their home countries. Now, the fate of those detainees has become an urgent question after President Trump’s abrupt recall of American troops from the Syrian border.
We follow one father as he fights to get his daughter, a former ISIS bride, and her children back to Australia.
Guest: Livia Albeck-Ripka, a reporter for The Times in Melbourne, Australia, spoke to Kamalle Dabboussy, whose daughter Mariam is trapped in Syria with her three children. For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily.
Background coverage:
“There will be ethnic cleansing of the Kurdish people from Syria, and the American administration will be responsible for it,” said Mazlum Kobani, a Kurdish military commander, when asked about a full American withdrawal from northern Syria.
The Daily 