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Speculation Surrounding the Detention of American Journalist Austin Tice in Syria
The head of an American organization specialized in hostage rescue stated on Monday that American journalist Austin Tice is still being held in Syria by individuals loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.
Nizar Zaka, who leads the Hostage Support Organization and was himself detained in Iran for four years before gaining U.S. citizenship, told Reuters while in Damascus that his information indicates Tice is being held in a "safe house" by very few people, with the aim of completing a deal for his release.
Austin Tice, an independent journalist and former U.S. Marine, was abducted in 2012 while covering the uprising against the Assad regime in Damascus. Following the overthrow of the former regime on December 8, Zaka has made several trips to Syria in an effort to track Tice down, confirming that the organization has made "a lot of progress" in its efforts to locate him in recent weeks.
However, Zaka expressed disappointment with the new Syrian response, stating that "the Syrian administration has not provided much assistance." He explained that they had greater hopes for cooperation with Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, but it did not provide support due to its own concerns.
Although there is no accurate information about Tice's whereabouts, Zaka mentioned that the possibility of a swap deal may involve pressure from Russia, which is considered an ally of Assad, potentially contributing to the release of the American journalist.
Many recall the circumstances of Tice's abduction at a checkpoint in Darayya near Damascus in August 2012. Previous reports indicated that Tice managed to escape from his cell in 2013 and was seen wandering in several areas of Damascus before being captured again by Assad's loyal forces.
Tice's mother, Deborah, continues to express hope that the current changes in Syria will contribute to her son's release.
