Girl trapped for 3 days in ISIS held area rescued

Report from Dave Eubank – FBR on the ground in NW Mosul Iraq

We thank God for the rescue of a 17 year old girl, Rahab, trapped in a collapsed building behind ISIS lines for three days.

Rahab being pulled out of the rubble of her home

Yesterday, 6 May 2017, the 1st Battalion of the 36th Brigade, Iraqi 9th Armored Division along with elements of an Iraqi fire department rescued her. She had been trapped under the rubble of her house during fighting between the advancing Iraqi Army and ISIS. The surviving family members ran a gauntlet of ISIS fire to get to us. 18 civilians have been shot by ISIS in our area and 10 have been killed, one young mother died in my arms… Over 7,000 have fled. We launched a recon to find the girl on 5 May and confirmed she was alive under the rubble. But we would need cutting tools to get her out and a large force to hold off ISIS.

On the recon we were immediately attacked by ISIS. As we were running down the street to get back to our Humvee I looked up and saw a large ISIS flag. We were in their strong point and barely made it out. We returned to the corner of the city we held and made a plan with Generals Kasem and Mustafa of the 9th and 36th, to get her out. We did not know if she would survive another night and prayed she would and that ISIS would not find her. The Generals called for an Iraqi civilian search and rescue team that came from Baghdad to help.

On 6 May our joint force went back with more support to try to get her out. I prayed in Jesus’ name for a way and for her life as Zau Seng, our cameraman, and I joined the rescue team. We went with Col. Arkan, the 1st Battalion commander in the lead. The rest of our team prepared for medical response and prayed for us. As we approached the building she was trapped in we found our way blocked by obstacles ISIS had put up and rubble from the fighting. We took many wrong turns under ISIS fire to find a way. Col. Arkan remained cool all the time and we finally found a way to get to her. Once there with our two Humvees we brought up three BMP armored cars to provide security. ISIS attacked us from three sides and the Iraqis fought back as we and the rescue team dragged cutting equipment over the collapsed roof and rubble. Under fire the Iraqis worked to get the girl out. “Was she still alive I wondered”? Then I heard her cry out and my heart leapt within me… She was still alive!! “Thank you Lord,” I prayed. As the fire men carried her out, ISIS intensified their fire and we had to fight our way out. We got in the Humvees but soon were stuck and almost flipped our Humvee. We backed up and prayed and found another way. Everyone got back safely. I was filled with gratitude and was in a kind of wonder, “Was this real, was she really alive, had we really made it?”

I thanked God as our medics worked on her. We loaded Rahab into our ambulance and drove her to a field hospital in the rear. On the way I held her hand and talked to her through Faiz our Iraqi medic. “My name is Rahab she said.” I am 17 and God sustained me throughout the time I was trapped. Thank you for helping me. I love you. If you have another daughter please name her after me,” she said with authority and smiled sweetly. I laughed and said, “You are a tough lady! Yes, I will do that if we have another daughter. I am your friend forever. I love you too and will help you in any way I can.”

The Iraqi medical staff led by Maj. Muhammad took excellent care of her and I stayed until she was evacuated again an hour later. I became choked up typing this and tears come to my eyes. My heart is full of gratitude and awe. It still seems too good to be true. Amidst all the killing we have seen, here is a life snatched from death. To see and be part of seeing Rahab saved is overwhelming. I thank God and you all for this. My message is thanks for caring, for praying and helping us be here. We can not do this alone. Thank you and may God’s Love hold each of us always and thank you for helping us.