2 Iraqi Youths Maimed in War Arrive in Britain for Treatment

A 13-year-old Iraqi boy who lost his parents and both arms in the war that toppled Iraqi President Saddam Hussein arrived Thursday in Britain for treatment.

With pledges from the Kuwaiti government to pay for his treatment until he reaches adulthood, Ali Abbas arrived on a Kuwaiti state plane. Also on board were his uncle and another injured Iraqi boy, Ahmad Hamza, 14, who lost his left foot and right hand in U.S. bombing near Baghdad.

Both boys are scheduled to be fitted with prosthetic limbs at Queen Mary’s Hospital Rehabilitation Center in London.

The boys were evacuated to Kuwait in mid-April and treated for burns caused when U.S. missiles struck their homes. Ali lost his father, pregnant mother, brother and 13 other relatives. Ahmad lost a sister.

Before the boys left the VIP hall in the Kuwait City airport, U.S. military policemen gave them camouflage hats and armbands.

Kuwait, a major U.S. ally that was the launchpad for the U.S.-led war in Iraq, also was going to pay for psychological care for the boys and their families as well as repairs to their homes in Iraq.

Canada has granted permission for Ali and five relatives to immigrate to the country, CTV News reported. Dr. Falih Hafuth of Cambridge, Ontario, has been trying to adopt Ali.