Debra Tice expressed optimism regarding the Trump administration’s involvement in finding her son, Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012. She attended a media conference in Damascus, noting the new leadership’s dedication to assisting in the search efforts. Tice has highlighted the communication she received from the Trump transition team, in contrast to the previous administration’s lack of engagement.
On Monday, Debra Tice, the mother of missing American journalist Austin Tice, conveyed optimism regarding the incoming Trump administration’s efforts to locate her son, who disappeared in Syria in 2012. Speaking at a media conference in Damascus, she noted the administration’s outreach gave her hope for renewed search efforts, contrasting it with previous years devoid of communication. “I have great hope that the Trump administration will sincerely engage in diligent work to bring Austin home,” she stated.
Austin Tice, now 43, became one of the first American journalists to cover the Syrian civil war, which ignited in 2011. The State Department believes he is held by the Syrian government, a claim the regime under former President Bashar al-Assad has consistently denied. Debra Tice previously met with Syrian officials in 2012 and 2015 but received no confirmation of her son’s detention and faced difficulties obtaining visas thereafter.
Recently, U.S. Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens visited Lebanon, seeking updates on Austin Tice’s situation. Former President Biden remarked, “We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.” Debra Tice relayed having received intelligence before the Assad regime’s destabilization indicating her son was alive and well.
During her current visit, she expressed excitement over the new Syrian leadership, which she met during her time in Damascus. She believes they could assist in revealing information about her son. “I have fallen in love with this beautiful country,” Debra stated while emphasizing her son’s dedication to sharing the story of the Syrian people.
Debra Tice’s trip coincided with President-elect Trump’s inauguration, distinguishing her feelings towards the incoming administration from her previous disappointment with the Biden administration’s efforts concerning her son’s circumstances. As she prepares to return to the U.S., she remarked that she would “wait and pray and let the dust settle from all these page turns.”
The ongoing search for Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria in 2012, has been a priority for his family and U.S. authorities. His mother, Debra Tice, has been actively engaging with both U.S. and Syrian officials to gather information regarding her son’s fate. The political landscape in Syria has shifted with the transition from Bashar al-Assad’s regime, raising hopes that new leadership may facilitate efforts to locate Tice.
Debra Tice’s recent visit to Syria represents a combination of renewed hope and strategic engagement following significant political changes in both the U.S. and Syria. Her expectations for the Trump administration’s involvement in her son’s case contrast sharply with her frustrations toward the previous administration. Ultimately, her commitment to uncovering the truth about Austin Tice’s whereabouts remains steadfast, driven by both personal devotion and a belief in the potential for new diplomatic avenues.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
