Debra Tice, the mother of missing American journalist Austin Tice, has reached out to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a letter dated December 14. In her correspondence, she claims that her family possesses "credible information" indicating that her son may be imprisoned in a facility located outside Damascus, Syria. Tice specifically asked Netanyahu to pause military strikes in the area to enable search efforts for her son, claiming that strikes are hindering rescue attempts.
According to Tice, this prison is allegedly situated beneath a Syrian military museum in the Mount Qasioun region, which is known for its tunnels connecting to neighborhoods and a government palace. In her letter, she expressed deep concern for the welfare of potential prisoners, stating the lack of information regarding their access to necessary resources like food and water. "Time is of the essence," Tice asserted, urging Israeli military intervention to locate Austin and other prisoners.
The Israeli military has engaged in airstrikes targeting weapons depots and military installations in Syria in an attempt to restrict military equipment from reaching extremist groups. Tice's letter comes in the backdrop of significant developments in Syria, particularly after rebel factions seized control of Damascus and other cities, compelling President Bashar al-Assad to flee to Russia.
Austin Tice has been missing since 2012, after he was abducted near Damascus during the civil war's ascent. The U.S. government has long suspected that the Assad regime holds Tice, a claim the Syrian government has consistently denied. Recent dynamics in the conflict may be amplifying the urgency of Tice's family's efforts to locate him amid fears that escalating military operations could further jeopardize potential rescue operations.
