The alleged execution of Tice, who disappeared in 2012, has prompted further investigation and discussions regarding his fate amid ongoing scrutiny of the Assad regime’s activities.
Ex-Syrian Commander Alleges Austin Tice Executed on Assad’s Orders
Ex-Syrian Commander Alleges Austin Tice Executed on Assad’s Orders
A former Syrian military leader claims that the missing American journalist Austin Tice was executed following an order from the ousted President Bashar al-Assad, as reported by security sources.
Major General Bassam Al Hassan, once part of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's inner circle, has claimed that he was responsible for holding missing American journalist Austin Tice and has accused Assad of ordering his execution. This revelation came from security sources speaking to the BBC, linked to an upcoming podcast exploring Tice's disappearance.
Austin Tice, a freelance journalist, went missing near Damascus shortly after his 31st birthday in August 2012. The Syrian government has faced international scrutiny for its claims of ignorance regarding Tice’s whereabouts, which have been contradicted by new findings documenting his detention in Damascus.
Currently facing sanctions from multiple countries, Major General Al Hassan managed the facility where Tice was allegedly kept. Reports indicate that earlier this year, he met with US law enforcement officials on three occasions in Lebanon, one of which was held within the US embassy. Allegations surfaced during these meetings suggesting that Tice was executed under direct orders from Assad, an assertion that Al Hassan claimed to have tried to counteract when the order was given. He reportedly provided investigators with potential locations of Tice's remains.
Despite the claims, experts from Western intelligence remain skeptical, noting that Assad tends to separate himself from direct orders of this nature. Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, has expressed skepticism about Al Hassan's allegations, suggesting that he might have manipulated the narrative to suit his interests, relaying a story that investigators wanted to believe. She continues to advocate for the return of her son, voicing her determination that he remains alive.
An anonymous former member of the National Defence Forces claimed that Tice held significant value that could be leveraged in diplomatic discussions with the US, highlighting the complex dynamics surrounding Tice's kidnapping.
As the 13th anniversary of Tice's disappearance approaches, his mother has attempted to reach Al Hassan in hopes of answers, reflecting the ongoing grief and determination she feels in her quest for closure. The conversation about Tice’s fate continues among officials, with previous US presidents expressing optimism about his survival, per statements from the Biden administration indicating the belief that Tice is still alive albeit with no concrete evidence to confirm this. Secret Syrian documents have also hinted at the existence of an intelligence-led cover-up regarding Tice's imprisonment under the Assad regime.
