Washington — The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria has raised hopes that extra info may come to gentle on the whereabouts of journalist Austin Tice, who’s believed to nonetheless be alive greater than 12 years after his kidnapping.
After a insurgent offensive introduced an finish to the 50-year rule of the Assad household on Sunday, President Biden expressed optimism that Tice could possibly be returned to the U.S.
“We expect we are able to get him again, however we now have no direct proof of that but,” Mr. Biden mentioned on the White Home Sunday. “We’ve got to establish the place he’s.”
Tice, a Marine veteran and freelance journalist, disappeared on Aug. 14, 2012, whereas he was reporting on the Syrian civil struggle. Weeks later, a brief video appeared on-line that confirmed a distressed Tice blindfolded along with his obvious captors. It was the final time he was seen.
Although nobody has ever claimed accountability for his disappearance, Mr. Biden beforehand mentioned the U.S. is aware of “with certainty that he has been held by the Syrian regime.”
“We stay dedicated to returning him to his household,” Mr. Biden mentioned on Sunday.
Mr. Biden’s nationwide safety adviser Jake Sullivan mentioned in an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Monday that the U.S. has been engaged with its allies and others on the bottom in Syria “to trace who’s popping out of those prisons.”
“We’re dedicated to reuniting Austin Tice along with his household, and we will work with folks in Syria to make that occur,” Sullivan mentioned.
State Division spokesman Matthew Miller confirmed Monday that the federal government’s high hostage negotiator, Roger Carstens, is in neighboring Lebanon engaged on Tice’s case.
“He’s in Beirut to speak with folks within the area, to speak with events within the area, to gather info and to attempt to discover out the place Austin Tice is and get him dwelling as quickly as attainable,” Miller mentioned.
Carstens posted on social media Monday {that a} reward of as much as $10 million is being provided for anybody with “info resulting in the placement, restoration, and return” of Tice.
Tice household says “important supply” supplied new particulars
Two days earlier than rebels toppled the Assad regime, Tice’s dad and mom and siblings questioned Sullivan about his case in a gathering they mentioned had been deliberate for months.
Debra Tice, his mom, mentioned at a information convention later within the day that “Austin Tice is alive” and “is being cared for and he’s effectively.” She mentioned the data was from a “important supply” that had been vetted by the U.S. authorities.
Marc Tice, his father, mentioned the brand new info “may be very completely different” from previous leads.
“We’re assured that this info is contemporary. It signifies as late as earlier this yr that Austin is alive and being cared for,” he mentioned.
Tice’s mom says she has “little doubt” he’s alive, however household has not seen video proof
In an interview with “CBS Mornings” on Tuesday, Austin Tice’s dad and mom mentioned they’d not seen video proof that he’s alive, and they do not know the place he’s.
“We’ve not seen … video proof for the reason that preliminary video that got here out shortly after he was taken, however there was affirmation from of us which have had eyes on him, and that even pretty lately,” Marc Tice mentioned. “So, once more, we’re assured that he’s alive and we all know he is prepared to come back dwelling.”
Debra Tice mentioned she had “little doubt” he’s alive.
“I’ve by no means had even a half-second of doubt that we will see Austin stroll free,” she mentioned. “I do know different individuals who have had family members who did not return, they usually had an inkling sooner or later and I feel that is the reward of God, and I do not suppose God is a trickster, so I consider that my hope is real and we’ll see Austin stroll free.”
Tice household says they’re annoyed with the U.S. authorities’s incapability to carry Austin dwelling
The household additionally mentioned they’re annoyed with the U.S. authorities’s incapability to carry him dwelling and mentioned they obtained few assurances concerning the Biden administration’s efforts.
“There simply appears to be an enormous disconnect between what President Biden has dictated for Austin when it comes to doing the whole lot that we are able to to carry him dwelling, after which the actions and the conduct of the those that sit slightly below him,” his brother Simon Tice mentioned on the information convention on Friday.
Debra Tice on Tuesday disputed that the Biden administration is “doing the whole lot they’ll,” saying “they’re doing the whole lot they’ll besides negotiating to get Austin free.”
“Once they say, ‘we’re doing the whole lot we are able to,’ I don’t know what which means,” Debra Tice mentioned on “CBS Mornings.”
The household additionally blamed the U.S. authorities for stopping the discharge of details about the supply of Austin Tice’s well-being.
Austin’s sister Naomi Tice referred to as on the Biden administration and incoming Trump administration to make use of all of the instruments they’ve accessible to carry her brother dwelling in an interview with CBS Information on Monday.
“We simply actually hope that they make the most of this chance,” she mentioned.
She mentioned there’s been a “big gap” of their close-knit household with out him. He is missed the births of his nieces and nephews and his siblings’ weddings.
Jonathan Tice praised his brother’s “conviction and his need to do good and do proper.”
“Crucial factor to find out about him is simply that intrinsic goodness,” he instructed CBS Information.
Caitlin Huey-Burns
contributed to this report.
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