Parents of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller unveil 'Into the Breach' painting in her honor showing US military raid that killed terror leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
The parents of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller have unveiled a painting in her honor showing the U.S. military raid that killed terror leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Mueller was abducted by ISIS in Syria where she was held for 18 months before her captors announced she had died in February 2015.
Her parents joined Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, Senator Martha McSally and Army National Guard members on stage at the Goldwater Air National Guard Base where they unveiled the painting on Thursday.
The event comes nearly a year after the terrorist leader al-Baghdadi - who raped Mueller while she was held captive by ISIS - was killed in a special forces raid in Syria on October 27, 2019.
'Into the Breach' depicts the U.S. special forces raid that led to the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in 2019, and was unveiled at a ceremony on Thursday
The parents of ISIS victim Kayla Mueller, who died while being held captive by ISIS leader al-Baghdadi in 2015, joined Arizona's governor and senator on stage to unveil the painting
Mueller's father - Carl Mueller - took to the stage on Thursday to thank Vice President Mike Pence who had invited he and his wife Marsha to the vice presidential debate in Salk Late City the evening before.
During the debate, Pence criticised Democratic candidate Joe Biden for failing to rescue Kayla Mueller from ISIS during his time in the Obama administration.
The administration reportedly tried to rescue Mueller - along with other hostages - from the terrorist organisation on numerous occasions.
Mueller said they flew back to Phoenix with Pence and his wife, Karen Pence, on Air Force Two after the debate. 'It's been overwhelming,' Mueller said.
Carl Mueller told the story of how the painting came about, saying his son received a message from a friend of his who is serving in the military with a picture of the painting, titled 'Into the Breach'.
Members of the Air National Guard were in the attendance to view the unveiling during a ceremony on Thursday, nearly a year since the raid and death of al-Baghdadi
The painting featured a raid similar to the one that killed al-Baghdadi, so Mueller asked the person if he could have a copy of the painting.
However, he was told that it had been commissioned by the 75th Ranger Regiment, who would need to give permission for it to be used.
Mueller sought the help of another family friend who served in the military to seek out the necessary permission, which they obtained a few weeks later.
Kayla Mueller (left) who was abducted by ISIS in 2013 while working in Syria for Doctors Without Borders. The painting commemorating the raid that killed her captor al-Baghdadi was accompanied by a letter from U.S. Army Gen. Mark A. Milley (pictured right)
Kayla's father then sought out the artist - Stuart Brown - who told Mueller that he would have a giclée — a high-quality digital print — made up for him.
'When I asked how much it would be, Mr. Brown said he would cover the cost of the giclée and the shipping from England,' Mueller said. 'As fate would have it, on Christmas Eve, it was delivered to our home in Prescott.'
Governor Ducey praised Kayla Mueller for her bravery and compassion as a humanitarian and volunteer. She had been working with Doctors Without Borders when she was abducted in August 2013.
Parents Marsha and Carl Mueller listen during a ceremony to unveil a painting honoring Kayla Mueller at the Goldwater Air National Guard Base
Marsha and Carl Mueller were invited to the Vice Presidential debate by Vice President Mike Pence on Wednesday evening, held in Salt Lake City
'We are here today because your daughter is revered and beloved the world over,' Ducey said. 'And thanks to you, her legacy will live on forever more.'
Ducey said released captives who were with Kayla Mueller said she acted as a mother and sister to them, providing them comfort no matter how dire their circumstances.
'Kayla Mueller was a warrior in every sense,' the governor said. 'Comforting the anguished and serving as a light in the darkness. And even through the darkest nights of captivity, Kayla's light grew only brighter.'
On October 26, 2019, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a raid undertaken by U.S. special forces in Syria, using helicopters, jets and drones.
Announcing the ISIS leader's death, President Trump said while being hunted by military canines and after being cornered in a tunnel, al-Baghdadi detonated a suicide vest, killing himself and two children - believed to be his own.
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