The recent fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has revived the hopes of the family of Austin Tice, an American journalist captured in Syria more than twelve years ago. His siblings, Jacob Tice and Abigail Edaburn, expressed optimism about his return, telling NPR that they firmly believe he is still alive in Syria.
“The latest information we have indicates that Austin is alive. He is in Syria,” Jacob Tice said in an interview on the TV show All Things Considered on NPR. His sister Abigail added: “The last few days have been incredibly intense. It seems so different from the past. It makes you feel like anything is possible. »
Strengthened diplomatic efforts
“We continue to believe that he is alive and we continue to make clear, in all of our conversations, either with entities on the ground in Syria or with entities that may be in communication with those on the ground in Syria, that “We have no higher priority than the safe return of Austin Tice to his family,” said Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the State Department, during a press briefing and quoted by CBS.
The Tice family welcomed these efforts. In a statement released by the National Press Club's Press Freedom Center, Austin Tice's parents, Debra and Marc Tice, said: “We watch events unfold in Syria and see families reunited after years of separation. We know this is possible for our family too. Austin is alive, in Syria, and it's time for him to come home. »
The journey and disappearance of Austin Tice
Austin Tice, 43, is a former Marine captain and graduate of Georgetown University. In May 2012, he traveled to Syria to cover the civil war as a freelance journalist for The Washington Post and McClatchy.
In August 2012, while he was south of Damascus finalizing a report, he was arrested at a checkpoint. Shortly after, a 46-second video posted on YouTube showed Austin Tice blindfolded and surrounded by armed men. The US government has since claimed he is being held by the Syrian regime, although Damascus has never acknowledged his capture.
New hope after Assad's departure
With the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the takeover of the country by the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, U.S. officials and the Tice family hope that Syria's new leadership will help reunite Austin. “We just hope that what happens next is what we've been waiting for for 12 years. This really feels like a unique opportunity,” Abigail Edaburn told NPR.
Find our file on Syria
The FBI has renewed its appeal for information on Austin Tice, recalling that a reward of up to $1 million is still being offered for information leading to his return. “We are extremely grateful for all the efforts currently being made to find Austin,” Jacob Tice told NPR. “And we are so hopeful that these efforts will bear fruit and that Austin will return soon.” »
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