Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist taken in Syria in 2012, spoke to reporters on Friday. She believes her son is alive and being treated well. Debra said, “We have strong information from a trusted source that Austin is alive and okay.” She did not give many details but assured everyone that he is being cared for.
Austin Tice worked as a photojournalist for several news organizations, including Agence France-Presse and CBS, when he was captured at a checkpoint in a suburb of Damascus on August 14, 2012. Not much has been shared publicly about him since then. In September 2012, a video showed him blindfolded, but no one knows who took him.
In 2022, President Joe Biden accused Syria of holding Tice and urged the government to help get him back. However, Syria has denied keeping any Americans, including Tice. Debra did not say where Austin might be but believes that “diplomacy” is key to bringing him home. She said, “Words not bombs, words not guns — that is how Austin will come home.”
At a recent event, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre expressed her sympathy for Tice’s family and said National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan had met with them. She noted how difficult it must be for them while they hope for Austin’s return. In 2020, former President Trump had even sent a message to Syria’s leader, Bashar al-Assad, asking about Tice. Trump said he wasn’t sure if Tice was still alive.
Now, Austin’s family is looking towards former President Trump, who is set to be inaugurated soon, hoping he can help. This comes at a time when Syrian rebels are making major advancements in the ongoing civil war.
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