First Syrians leave for U.S. under sped up resettlement program

The first Syrian family to be resettled in the U.S. under a speeded-up “surge operation” for refugees left Jordan on Wednesday for Kansas City, Missouri, to start a new life.

Ahmad al-Abboud, who is being resettled with his wife and five children, said he is thankful to Jordan, where he has lived for three years after fleeing Syria’s civil war. But the 45-year-old from Homs, Syria, said he was ready to build a better life in the U.S.

“I’m happy. America is the country of freedom and democracy, there are jobs, opportunities, there is good education, and we are looking forward to having a good life over there,” al-Abboud said. Read more…