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U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has made a recent demand for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to free an American journalist held hostage there since 2012.
In a press release marking Austin Tice’s fortieth birthday, Blinken stated he was personally dedicated to bringing him house and all different Individuals detained overseas.
‘He turns 40 years previous in the present day, having spent nearly 1 / 4 of his life in captivity,’ Blinken stated.
‘We imagine that it’s inside Bashar al-Assad’s energy to free Austin. We are going to proceed to pursue all avenues to carry Austin house.’
‘Austin Tice should be allowed to return house to his family members who miss him dearly and to the nation that awaits him eagerly.’
This undated photograph obtained from the Tice household reveals their son, Austin, who has been lacking in Syria for 9 years. No less than 30 journalists from around the globe have disappeared or been held as hostages and threatened with dying by extremists or gangs looking for ransom
Freelance journalist Austin Tice was additionally a legislation scholar at Georgetown College and a former U.S. Marine Corps officer
In 2012, on the time of his captivity, Tice, initially from Texas, was a legislation scholar at Georgetown College and freelance photojournalist working for Agence France Press, McClatchy Information, The Washington Submit, CBS and different information organizations.
He went lacking on August 14, 2012, after being detained at a checkpoint close to Damascus earlier than being proven and held by unidentified armed males in a video, which was launched 5 weeks later.
Biden administration officers have instructed McClatchy information service that they’re working ‘with the honest perception’ that Tice continues to be alive.
They imagine Tice is being held by the Syrian authorities itself, or its allies.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed ‘to proceed to pursue all avenues to carry Austin house’ as Tice turns 40 years previous in the present day, having spent nearly 1 / 4 of his life in captivity
Roger Carstens, the particular presidential envoy for hostage affairs, is in control of Tice’s case alongside the Hostage Restoration fusion Cell in response to a report by the Related Press.
AP additionally claimed that Carstens travelled to Syria final summer season for a gathering between the Syrian authorities and the then-Trump administration.
Washington deliberate to barter the return of a number of US residents, together with Tice.
Nevertheless, the journey was deemed as unsuccessful as Syrian officers issued a listing of calls for, together with lifting sanctions and withdrawing troops whereas sharing no data on Tice’s exact location.
In a assertion posted Wednesday marking the anniversary, Tice’s dad and mom, Debra and Marc Tice, say Biden ought to make it clear that his freedom is a precedence.
Marc and Debra Tice (background), the dad and mom of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who’s presently held as a hostage in Syria, give a press convention within the Lebanese capital Beirut in 2018. The dad and mom have labored beneath three presidential administration to attempt to carry their son house
‘We are actually imploring a 3rd President of the USA to speak to his administration that Austin’s safe launch and secure return is a precedence,’ they wrote. ‘There are lots of succesful individuals working in our authorities who’re wanting to see Austin stroll free; they will need to have President Biden’s authorization for vital and related diplomatic engagement with the Syrian authorities.’
White Home press secretary Jen Psaki stated Biden has ordered his administration to make use of all instruments at its disposal to safe Tice’s freedom, together with ‘speaking to anybody.’
‘We’re dedicated to following all avenues and speaking to anybody who may also help with Austin’s launch and return house,’ Psaki stated. ‘We don’t discuss these publicly, as a result of that’s not within the pursuits of the end result. However we’re dedicated to utilizing each software at our disposal to carry Austin and all hostages held in Syria house.’
White Home press secretary Jen Psaki stated Biden has ordered his administration to make use of all instruments at its disposal to safe Tice’s freedom, together with ‘speaking to anybody.’
Biden ‘is directing Syria to launch Austin Tice,” she added,’ and ‘he has requested his authorities to make use of each software and gear of engagement obtainable to carry him house.’
Tice was additionally an officer enrolled within the U.S. Marine Corps.
At present, roughly half a dozen US residents are estimated to be held by the Syrian authorities or forces allied with Damascus, together with Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz.
Syrian-American psychotherapist Majd Kamalmaz has gone lacking in Syria since 2017. Like Tice, his whereabouts are unknown
Kamalmaz was stopped at a authorities checkpoint in Damascus lower than 24 hours after touchdown within the nation from Lebanon in 2017, in response to his household, because it was the final time they heard from him.
A State Division spokesperson instructed Center East Eye on Wednesday that Washington calls on Syria to ‘assist launch Austin Tice, Majd Kamalmaz and each U.S. citizen held hostage in Syria.’.
Syria erupted into civil battle nearly a decade in the past after Assad started a brutal crackdown in 2011 on protesters calling for an finish to his household’s rule.
No less than 139 journalists have been killed whereas overlaying the battle, in response to the Committee to Shield Journalists, a New York-based watchdog.
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