ReutersThe mom of US journalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in Syria whereas on a reporting journey in 2012 and one of many longest-held American hostages, has returned to the nation for the primary time in a decade to resume the seek for her son.
Debra Tice’s go to comes within the wake of the autumn of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a lighting insurgent offensive final month. Her son, a contract journalist who’s now 43, was taken captive as he travelled by means of the Damascus suburb of Darayya overlaying the Syrian civil warfare.
“We had data, however the entire world modified,” she mentioned in an interview within the Syrian capital, Damascus, referring to Assad’s elimination from energy.
“We do not know the place he’s now. It feels slightly bit like sq. one, making an attempt to determine that out once more.”
Getty PicturesTice was final seen in a video posted on-line weeks after his seize, blindfolded and in obvious misery. No authorities or group has claimed being behind his disappearance, though over time, US officers mentioned they believed Tice was being held by the Assad authorities.
In line with latest studies in US media, investigators imagine that Tice, a former US Marine, briefly escaped weeks after being seized however was recaptured by forces who answered on to Assad.
Final month, after rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled Assad and seized energy, President Joe Biden mentioned the US believed Tice was alive, however that his whereabouts remained unknown. The rebels opened Syria’s prisons, releasing 1000’s of individuals and giving consultants entry to paperwork that would shed a light-weight on what occurred to Tice and different disappeared folks.
Reuters“I’ve by no means had a second of doubt… I all the time knew that [Tice] goes to stroll free. And, you already know, we’ve an entire new mind-set about how that is going to occur,” she mentioned. “I can hardly look ahead to my arms round [him].”
On Sunday, Debra Tice – who mentioned she wore a “Free Austin Tice” badge even at dwelling – met Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Syrian de facto chief, who has vowed to carry accountable these liable for probably the most severe crimes through the Assad regime.
She mentioned she hoped the households would proceed to have entry to the services the place prisoners have been held “to permit folks to look and maintain hope”.
“I am right here to be with those who perceive the longing, to have the ability to have a good time with folks which are being reunited, and likewise maintain the hearts of these of us which are nonetheless looking out and ready and wishing and hoping and praying.”
She had visited Syria for the final time in 2015, when the nation’s authorities stopped issuing visas to her. Now, she mentioned, “individuals are extra relaxed” and “youngsters have smiles on their faces”.
“I need to be one of many mothers, one of many households that finds my liked one and throws my arms round him and takes them dwelling,” she mentioned.
