SoCal Residents Fear For Family In Iraq As Violence Continues

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Officials Saturday carried out a third round of U.S. airstrikes against Islamic state militants, leaving many people across Southern California concerned for family members in Iraq as the violence continues.

KCAL9's Cristy Fajardo reports about a Southland man who has not heard from his Aunt in Iraq for several days.

Ray Dawood said that his Aunt resides with her three children and husband in a village that has been overrun by Isis.

"No one knows what happened," said Dawood. "Maybe they went to Arbil and weren't told we were trying to call the number that has now been disconnected."

According to officials, the Iraqi Kurdish capital has become a refuge for many residents who have fled their homes after being threatened by Islamic militant groups to "convert or face the sword."

Before leaving for vacation, President Barack Obama did not give a timeline for when U.S. airstrikes would end in Iraq, but said that he would not send in ground troops.

"I don't think we are going to solve this problem in weeks," President Obama said. "This is going to take some time."

As Southern California is home to many Iraqi Christians, a local church told Fajardo they plan to pray for Iraq during mass this weekend.