Austin Tice's Family Pleads for Action to Bring Him Home
The family of Austin Tice, an American journalist kidnapped in Syria over a decade ago, is urging the U.S. government to engage in direct talks with Syria to secure his release. They believe they have credible information that Tice is alive and well, and they are frustrated by the lack of progress in bringing him home.
Debra Tice, Austin's mother, stated at a press conference that they have received information from a vetted source confirming that her son is alive and being treated well. She emphasized that this information is credible and has been verified by multiple government agencies.
Marc Tice, Austin's father, highlighted the significance of this new information, stating that it is distinct from previous leads and indicates that Austin was alive and being cared for as recently as earlier this year.
The family met with government officials, including National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, to discuss the situation and explore potential avenues for Austin's release. They specifically inquired about leveraging the ongoing Syrian rebel offensive and urged President Biden to directly contact Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. However, they did not receive any concrete assurances.
Debra Tice expressed optimism about the potential role President-elect Donald Trump could play in securing Austin's release. She recalled Trump's strong interest in the case during his first term and expressed her belief that roadblocks were put in place by members of his administration.
The family's plea for action underscores the urgency of bringing Austin Tice home after years of captivity. They are calling on the U.S. government to prioritize his release and engage in direct negotiations with Syria to achieve this goal.