Kayla Mueller: Christian aid worker killed by ISIS, not US airstrike

The American aid worker Kayla Mueller was killed by ISIS, not a coalition airstrike, it has been claimed today.

Mueller, a Christian aid worker, 26, was abducted while leaving a hospital in Northern Syria in August 2013.

She was held captive for 18 months and raped by ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, before being killed in what was believed to be a coalition airstrike in February 2015.

However, three Yazidi girls who were held alongside Mueller and have since escaped told the BBC that she was murdered by ISIS.

One of the three, Amshe, was a sex slave for Haji Mutazz – ISIS' second in command. She said Muttazz mocked the western reports blaming her death on the airstrike.

"Her stupid government," he reportedly said. "We killed her.

"We killed her because she is an American. If Obama wanted to he could tell Bashar [al-Assad, the Syrian president] to stop bombing us. Ten of our women and children die every day. This is our revenge. We will kill any American citizen we capture. If any Western government refuses to put pressure on Bashar, we will kill their citizens too."

According to Amshe, Muttazz said Mueller was considered a trophy due to her pale skin and American nationality.

ISIS claimed in early February that she was killed when Jordanian fighter jets bombed a building where she was being held outside Raqqa, an ISIS stronghold in Syria. Jordanian and US officials have expressed doubt about Islamic State's account of her death.

A report released by US authorities revealed that Mueller had been repeatedly raped by al-Baghdadi, which was confirmed by two other Yazidi girls who spoke to the BBC.

Dalal and Susan, both captured and sold into slavery by ISIS, shared a cell with Mueller. Dalal was 17 when she was abducted and Susan 13.

They said Mueller told them IS pulled her fingernails out in an attempt to make her admit she was a spy.

Despite being forced to pray and read the Koran out of fear, Dalal said Mueller never truly converted.

"She described her 'like a sister or a mother to us. When we cried, Susan and I, she would tell us: 'You will get home. You will see your parents again.' She was a very kind person. I will never forget what she did for us."

She was ordered to al-Baghdadi's house to be his secret wife. According to Dalal, "Kayla said he told her: 'I will marry you. If you refuse, I will behead you like your friends.'"

He showed her beheadings of Western hostages, including her friend James Foley.

The girls all worked as servants living in the home of Sayyaf, a senior IS leader when al-Baghdadi summoned Mueller, raped her and made her his wife.

She returned to her shared room after the event weeping, according to Dalal.

Dalal said "After two or three days, he called Kayla again. He gave her a Koran. Every day, he taught her more about Islam. He dressed her in black clothes and he said other men in the house could not look at her."

Dalal and Susan decided to run away, despite Baghdadi's threats, but Mueller refused to join them. She feared that she would be beheaded. She also feared they would be more conspicuous if she joined them, and told the Yazidi girls to leave without her.

The Yazidi girls escaped to Kurdish-held northern Iraq and were rescued.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Kayla Mueller\'s memorial: \'You\'re in God\'s hands now\' says brother
Kayla Mueller's memorial: 'You're in God's hands now' says brother

Kayla Mueller's memorial: 'You're in God's hands now' says brother

Kayla Mueller\'s parents: \'God is always there alongside us\'
Kayla Mueller's parents: 'God is always there alongside us'

Kayla Mueller's parents: 'God is always there alongside us'

Kayla Mueller was raped by Islamic State leader, US confirms
Kayla Mueller was raped by Islamic State leader, US confirms

Kayla Mueller was raped by Islamic State leader, US confirms

US hostage Kayla Mueller tortured, raped by ISIS chief before she died, officials say
US hostage Kayla Mueller tortured, raped by ISIS chief before she died, officials say

US hostage Kayla Mueller tortured, raped by ISIS chief before she died, officials say

Can ISIS chief still be forgiven for all his atrocities, including rape of Kayla Mueller?
Can ISIS chief still be forgiven for all his atrocities, including rape of Kayla Mueller?

Can ISIS chief still be forgiven for all his atrocities, including rape of Kayla Mueller?

News
Christians encouraged to be bold in public life
Christians encouraged to be bold in public life

Christians were urged to continue “standing and speaking for Jesus” in workplaces, schools, politics and local communities.

Court case launched in support of DRC Christians
Court case launched in support of DRC Christians

DRC forces believed the locals were sympathetic to M23 rebels.

Christians, Jews and Muslims unite in week of solidarity
Christians, Jews and Muslims unite in week of solidarity

The aim is to have a million "acts of hope" this week.

Archbishop of Canterbury pledges solidarity with Britain's Jews
Archbishop of Canterbury pledges solidarity with Britain's Jews

Antisemitic incidents have increased in frequency and deadliness.