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Kayla Mueller’s Father Says U.S. ‘Put Policy in Front of American Citizens’ Lives’

1 minute read
By NBC News

Slain ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller’s father has accused the Obama administration of putting its policy of not paying ransoms “in front of American citizens’ lives.”

In an exclusive interview with TODAY’s Savannah Guthrie, Carl Mueller said he had mixed feelings about the government’s refusal to negotiate with terrorist groups who kidnapped foreigners. Other Western countries are known to have paid millions to secure the release of their nationals.

“We understand the policy about not paying ransom,” he said. “But on the other hand, any parents out there would understand that you would want anything and everything done to bring your child home…”

Read the rest of the story from our partners at NBC News

Peek Inside Kobani After Kurds Claim Victory Over ISIS

A Kurdish man stands in a destroyed building in the center of the Syrian border town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
A Kurdish man stands in a destroyed building in the center of the Syrian border town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
Street scene in Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
Street scene in Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A Kurdish fighter speaks on the phone as one of his comrades walks past in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
A Kurdish fighter speaks on the phone as one of his comrades walks past in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A Kurdish fighter walks through the wreckage of a building in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28. 2015.
A Kurdish fighter walks through the wreckage of a building in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28. 2015.Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A Kurdish fighter walks with his child in the center of the Syrian border town of Kobani, Jan. 28, 2015.
A Kurdish fighter walks with his child in the center of the Syrian border town of Kobani, Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A shell is used as a vase in the Syrian border town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
A shell is used as a vase in the Syrian border town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
An injured kurdish fighter sits near the site where a mortar shell landed in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
An injured Kurdish fighter sits near the site where a projectile landed in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
Kurdish fighters walk along a street in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015.
Kurdish fighters walk along a street in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A fighter drives a car with heavy gun machine in the center of Kobani on Jan. 28. 2015.
A Kurdish fighter drives a truck with a heavy gun machine in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28. 2015.Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images
A Kurd stands in a building as pigeons fly over in the center of Kobani, on Jan. 28, 2015.
A Kurd stands in a building as pigeons fly over in the center of the Syrian town of Kobani on Jan. 28, 2015. Bulent Kilic—AFP/Getty Images

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