Austin Tice’s Family Remains Hopeful Amid Ongoing Crisis in Syria
In Washington, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist who has been missing in Syria for over ten years, expressed her belief that her son is still alive. Debra Tice shared this news after a meeting with national security officials at the White House, during which she received information from an unspecified but credible source deemed reliable by the U.S. government.
Debra stated, “He is being cared for and he is well — we do know that.” Her comments come as the situation in Syria remains turbulent, particularly with various insurgent groups advancing against President Bashar Assad’s forces in key regions like Aleppo.
During the press event, Debra Tice reflected on the distressing nature of the news from the Middle East. She stated, “The news we’re hearing from the Middle East is the kind of thing that can unsettle a mom.” Following this, she added, “When I think about war, I never have a happy moment.”
Austin’s sister, Naomi Tice, voiced her concerns during the same press conference. She inquired whether there could be a way to utilize the ongoing conflict to facilitate her brother’s release. The response, she said, suggested that they will need to “wait and see how it pans out,” a situation she found to be frustrating but understandable.
Austin’s father, Marc Tice, also expressed his disappointment regarding the meetings with White House and State Department officials, describing them as filled with frustration and blame-shifting. He pointed to examples of real commitment in securing the release of hostages in countries like Russia, China, and Venezuela, emphasizing that similar efforts are still lacking for Austin and others.
Marc further refrained from discussing details of the current intelligence but indicated that the information indicating Austin’s well-being has recently been updated, suggesting he is alive and receiving care. The family aims to make as much information public as they can.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged the family’s meeting with Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser, but did not provide specific details about their discussions. She expressed empathy for the Tice family, stating, “I can’t even imagine what they’re going through.”
Austin Tice, originally from Houston, disappeared in August 2012 at a checkpoint near Damascus while documenting the Syrian civil war. A video released shortly after his disappearance showed him blindfolded and held by armed men, yet he has not been heard from since. The Syrian government has publicly denied holding him, despite growing concerns about the plight of American citizens in the region.
During the final months of the Trump administration, there was a notable attempt at dialogue when two U.S. officials made a secret visit to Damascus in hopes of finding out more about the missing Americans, including Tice. However, as the Tice family continues to seek answers, the journey appears to be fraught with challenges amidst ongoing instability in Syria.
