Debra Tice, the mother of Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in 2012 while covering events in Syria, expressed her concerns on Sunday regarding the government’s efforts to find her son in the aftermath of the Assad regime’s recent downfall.
During an interview with NBC’s “Face the Nation” host Kristen Welker, Tice criticized the government’s decision not to enter Damascus, stating, “The U.S. government has made the decision that they’re not going into Damascus. So my feeling is, if they don’t want to be there, they shouldn’t be there, and the people that are there are the people that are determined.”
The collapse of the government was triggered by Syrian rebels who seized control of Damascus on December 8, leading to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar Assad, marking the end of the Assad family’s five-decade rule.
Tice acknowledged the efforts of journalists like NBC’s Richard Engel and organizations such as Hostage Aid Worldwide, a non-profit dedicated to securing the release of hostages, for their on-the-ground reporting in Syria.
Regarding the U.S. government’s absence in the search efforts, Tice commented, “They are determined to be looking. They are going into the cells, they’re going into some deep and dark places, and obviously, they are compelled to be there and the U.S. government is not.”
When questioned about whether the U.S. government should be more involved, Tice responded, “What do you think?”
President Joe Biden reaffirmed his commitment to locating and freeing Austin Tice during a White House press briefing on the day of the rebel victory, expressing optimism about his son’s survival and the prospect of bringing him home.
Tice remained steadfast in her belief that her son is alive, stating, “Austin was born alive and he’s been alive ever since then. I’ve never had any doubt about that.”
This is not the first instance of the Tice family voicing their frustration with the government’s handling of Austin’s disappearance.
On December 8, the family urged the Biden administration to escalate their efforts and expressed disappointment in the government’s passive approach, waiting for developments in Syria before taking decisive action to secure Austin’s return.
Tice expressed hope that her son will be reunited with the family, placing her trust in Hostage Aid Worldwide, with whom they are collaborating, to facilitate his safe return.
“They’re on the ground, and they are ready,” she affirmed. “They know. They know what to do when they find him.”
