Biden calls for release of journalist Austin Tice, missing in Syria for 12 years
Austing Bennet Tice. (Illustration by Mark Harris; portrait: Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty; hostage picture's credits: AP Photo)
U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated his call for the immediate release of Austin Tice on Wednesday, an American journalist and former Marine who disappeared in Syria in 2012.
Tice, who was abducted while reporting in the Damascus suburb of Daraya, has been missing for 12 years, and U.S. authorities believe he is being held by the Syrian government.
Biden’s renewed call for action
“This week marks 12 long, terrible years since American Austin Tice was abducted in Syria,” President Biden stated.
“We have repeatedly pressed the government of Syria to work with us so that we can, at last, bring Austin home. Today, I once again call for his immediate release,” he added.
Biden emphasized the critical role that journalists like Tice play in informing the public and holding those in power accountable.
“We stand in solidarity with Austin, his family, and all Americans wrongfully detained and held hostage abroad. I will continue to do everything possible to advocate for and pursue his release and support his loved ones until he is safely returned home,” Biden added.
Background on Austin Tice
Austin Tice disappeared on August 13, 2012, while reporting in Syria during the civil war. At the time, he was working as a freelance journalist and photographer for news organizations including CBS, The Washington Post, and the McClatchy Company. His reporting earned him the George Polk Award for War Reporting in 2012.
U.S. authorities assert Tice was kidnapped by the Syrian government and have consistently urged Syrian authorities to release him.
However, the Syrian government has denied any involvement, stating that it has not kidnapped or is holding any American citizen on its territory.
Statements from US officials
In a separate statement, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reinforced the U.S. government’s position, stating, “We know the Syrian government has held Austin, and we have repeatedly offered to find a way to bring him home. This has gone on for far too long.”
Blinken added, “Austin went to Syria to show the world the truth of what was going on there. We’re not going to relent until we find a way to bring Austin’s unjust detention to an end.”
The calls for Tice’s release come just over a week after Senators Chris Van Hollen and John Cornyn led a bipartisan effort, urging the Biden administration to “use all available means to secure Austin’s release.”
Turkish intelligence could lead to the rescue of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, as Turkish intelligence has previously conducted operations and diplomatic efforts to rescue civilians in Syria and many other parts of the world.
Since 2009, Turkish intelligence (MIT) has rescued 170 people held by terrorist organizations. MIT ensured the safe return of 138 Turks to their families and played a role in the rescue of 32 foreigners.
It was noteworthy that the countries where rescue operations were carried out were in geographies where instability prevailed, with Syria being the country where the most hostages were rescued.
Experts attribute MIT’s rescue of citizens of the UK, the Netherlands, Lebanon, France, Russia, Kosovo, Belgium, Japan, Iraq, Algeria, Malaysia, Dagestan, South Africa and Italy, who were taken hostage in different countries and mainly in conflict zones, to the fact that the Organization is an expert, competent and reliable ally in such operations.
