The fall of Assad in Syria reignites hope for the return of American abductees like Austin Tice and Dr. Majd Kamalmaz.
At a Glance
- Austin Tice, a journalist, went missing in Syria in 2012 during a reporting trip.
- Tice’s family and the U.S. government believe he is alive but held by the Syrian government.
- The U.S. State Department offers up to $10 million for information on his whereabouts.
- Mouaz Moustafa, head of SETF, is intensifying search efforts in Syria post-Assad’s fall.
The Search for Austin Tice
Since 2012, Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine Corps captain and journalist, has been missing in Syria. The Assad regime’s recent fall has sparked renewed hope in efforts led by the U.S.-based Syrian Emergency Task Force (SETF) to locate abducted Americans like Tice. Although the Syrian government denies holding him, the U.S. believes otherwise.
Tice’s family continues to campaign vigorously for his release. The Biden administration and national security adviser Jake Sullivan have reiterated making Tice’s case a priority. Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department has intensified its search efforts, offering up to $10 million for credible information on Tice.
Ongoing Challenges and Efforts
The effort to find Austin Tice involves both strategic and diplomatic maneuvers. Roger Carstens, the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, recently traveled to Beirut seeking leads. Additionally, the SETF, under Mouaz Moustafa’s leadership, is making critical efforts on the ground in Syria.
“God willing, he’s alive. God willing, we can find him and bring him home.” – Mouaz Moustafa
Despite no military plans for a hostage rescue, the search includes using geolocation data from vetted sources. Moustafa, focused on visiting potential sites in Damascus, emphasizes the importance of grassroots involvement in the rescue effort. Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, voiced her impatience over the perceived lack of urgency in the government’s response.
Hope Amidst Uncertainty
Though the Syrian government has not acknowledged detaining Tice, the U.S. continues looking for him. The SETF shares a similar determination as evidenced by their persistent efforts in Damascus. Amnesty International and other humanitarian entities continue drawing global attention to disappearances in Syrian prisons.
The fall of Assad’s regime, notorious for human rights abuses, raises hopes for the uncovering of truths about numerous political prisoners like Tice. The White Helmets and others offer rewards for information on secret prisons, signaling a persistent determination to right the wrongs of the past and reunite families with missing loved ones.
Syrian American missing in Syria since 2017. Praying he returns home safely to his family. https://t.co/PxjyWLeO1I
— Hassan Shibly (@HassanShibly) December 8, 2024
Sources:
- There’s new hope for Austin Tice 12 years after he was kidnapped in Syria
- US group looks for kidnapped Americans in Syria after fall of Assad regime: won’t ‘leave a stone unturned’
