The mother of the missing American journalist resumed her search in Syria

The mother of American journalist Austin Tice, kidnapped in Syria during a reporting trip in 2012 and one of the longest-held American hostages, has returned to the country for the first time in a decade to resume the search for her son.

Debra Tais’ visit follows the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a swift rebel offensive last month. Her son, a freelance journalist, now 43, was captured while driving through the Damascus suburb of Daraya, covering the Syrian civil war.

“We had information, but the whole world has changed,” she said in an interview in the Syrian capital, Damascus, referring to Assad’s removal from power.

“We have no idea where he is now. Trying to figure it out again doesn’t seem to matter.”

Tyce was last seen in a video posted online weeks after his capture, blindfolded and in obvious distress. No government or group has claimed responsibility for his disappearance, although for years US officials have said they believe Taisa is being held by the Assad government.

According to recent U.S. media reports, investigators believe Tice, a former U.S. Marine, briefly escaped a few weeks after his capture but was recaptured by forces reporting directly to Assad.

Last month, after rebels led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) ousted Assad and seized power, President Joe Biden said the US believed Tice was alive but his whereabouts remained unknown. Rebels have opened up Syrian prisons, freeing thousands of people and giving experts access to documents that could shed light on what happened to Thais and other missing people.

“I never doubted… I always knew (Tice) would be released. And, you know, we have a whole new way of thinking about how that’s going to happen,” she said. “I can’t wait to hug (him).”

On Sunday, Debra Tice, who said she even wore a Free Austin Tice badge at home, met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, who has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the worst crimes under the Assad regime. .

She said she hoped families would continue to have access to the facilities where prisoners are held “so that people can search and keep hope”.

“I am here to be with people who understand the longing, to be able to celebrate with people who are reuniting, and to hold the hearts of those of us who are still searching, waiting, wishing, hoping and praying.”

The last time she was in Syria was in 2015, when the country’s authorities stopped issuing her visas. Now, she says, “people are more relaxed” and children have “smiles on their faces.”

“I want to be one of the moms, one of the families that find my loved one, hug them and take them home,” she said.