In brief
Debra Tice, mother of missing journalist Austin Tice, expressed optimism following her meeting with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Shara, amid the political upheaval in the region.
Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist who was abducted in Syria in 2012, shared her experiences after a recent meeting with Ahmed al-Shara, the new leader whose rebel group recently overthrew President Bashar al-Assad. During a news conference in Damascus on Monday, Tice showed hope that her long quest for information about her son might finally bear fruit. The meeting took place shortly after the rebel-led offensive that marked the end of over five decades of Assad family rule. Although Debra did not receive any new information regarding her son’s status, she expressed her belief that the new authorities might provide assistance to families searching for missing loved ones. “It was so wonderful to learn that they are dedicated and determined to bring home my son and your sons,” she remarked, addressing other Syrians grappling with similar losses.Debra, who arrived in Damascus on Saturday, lamented that the recent instability has complicated efforts to secure information on her son's whereabouts, stating, “It’s like starting all over again.” Despite the uncertainty, she remains hopeful that the current political changes may lead to renewed efforts to resolve the plight of those still missing in Syria’s tragic civil war.
