Mother of missing American journalist renews search for Syria

In the year The mother of Austin Tice, the American journalist abducted in Syria while on a reporting trip in 2012 and one of the longest-running American hostages, has returned to her country for the first time in a decade in search of her son.

Debra Tice’s visit comes after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in a relatively light insurgent attack last month. Her son, a freelance journalist now 43, was captured while covering the Syrian civil war in Daraya, Damascus.

“We had information, but the whole world has changed,” she said in an interview in the Syrian capital, Damascus, of Assad’s ouster.

“We don’t know where he is right now. He feels a little bit like a square trying to figure that out again.”

Tees was last seen in a video posted online weeks after his arrest, with his eyes closed and in distress. No government or group has claimed responsibility for her disappearance, although for years U.S. officials have said they believe Tiss was captured by the Assad regime.

According to recent US media reports, a former US Navy SEAL identified as Tiss was captured by forces reporting directly to Assad despite his brief escape weeks after investigators arrested him.

After rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Assad last month, President Joe Biden said the United States believed Tis was alive, but his whereabouts were unknown. The rebels opened up Syrian prisons, freeing thousands of people and giving experts access to documents showing what happened to Tis and other missing people.

“I never had a moment of doubt … I always knew (Tees) was going to walk free. And you know, we have a new idea of ​​how that’s going to happen,” she said. “I can’t keep my hands off (him).”

On Sunday, Debra Tees – who says she even wears a “Free Austin Tees” badge at home – pledged to hold accountable those responsible for the heinous crimes committed by Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara under the Assad regime.

She said she hopes the families will continue to find the facilities where the inmates are held, “so that people can search and have hope.”

“I am here to be with those who understand the longing, to celebrate with those who are reunited and to hold the hearts of our people who are still searching and waiting and searching and praying.”

In the year She last visited Syria in 2015 when the country’s authorities stopped issuing visas. Now, she says, “people are more relaxed” and “kids have smiles on their faces.”

“I want to be one of those moms, I want to be one of those families who find someone I love and take them home with a handshake,” she said.