In brief
Debra Tice met with Ahmed al-Shara, Syria's new leader from the group that took over after Assad's regime, expressing hope for new leads in finding her son, journalist Austin Tice, missing since 2012. She reported optimism in their commitment to assist families searching for loved ones amidst Syria's changing political landscape.
Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist abducted in Syria over a decade ago, recently met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, in a quest for closure regarding her son’s fate. Following the recent political upheaval that saw the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime and the emergence of al-Shara’s rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Tice conducted a press conference to share her hopes for a new chapter in her continued search.During her visit to Damascus, Tice expressed optimism that the new leadership would be committed to locating not only her son but also others still missing since the tumultuous era of the Assad administration. “It was so wonderful to learn that they are dedicated and determined to bring home my son and your sons,” she stated, addressing an assembly of Syrian families who have suffered similar losses.Her assurances came as the new leadership reportedly seeks to support victims of the previous regime, focusing on human rights violations that left many families disrupted. While Tice noted that there were no new developments regarding her son’s status—believed to be still held captive—she indicated that the chaos following the regime's fall brings a fresh set of challenges to tracking him down. "It’s like starting all over again," Tice lamented, shining a light on the difficulties many families face as they navigate a rapidly evolving political environment in search of their loved ones. Tice remains hopeful amid the uncertainty, looking to leverage the current transition in leadership to advocate for justice and resolution for countless families affected by Syria's lengthy ordeal.
