Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to discuss the case of Austin Tice, an American journalist missing in Syria since 2012, with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Putin made the commitment during his annual end-of-year press conference, responding to a question from NBC correspondent Keir Simmons.
“I haven’t met with President Assad since his arrival in Moscow, but I plan to do so, and I will definitely talk to him,” Putin said. Assad has been in Moscow seeking refuge following the collapse of his regime in Syria.
However, Putin tempered expectations, casting doubt on whether Assad or his associates could provide definitive answers about Tice’s disappearance.
“Twelve years ago, a man disappeared in Syria during a time of intense military conflict,” Putin remarked. “Does President Assad himself know what happened to this American journalist? Nevertheless, I promise to raise the matter with those who control the situation on the ground in Syria today.”
A Mother’s Plea for Help
The question to Putin followed an emotional letter sent to the Russian leader by Tice’s mother, Debra Tice, urging him to leverage Russia’s influence in Syria to help locate her son.
“You have profound connections with the Syrian government, which can greatly aid our efforts to find Austin and reunite our family,” the letter read. Debra expressed her willingness to travel anywhere, including Moscow, to bring her son home.
In an interview with NBC News, Debra defended her outreach to Putin, emphasizing that Russia’s long-standing presence in Syria, particularly at its Latakia port, positions it to provide valuable insights into Tice’s whereabouts. “We are still trying to find out where he is,” she said.
A Decade-Long Mystery
Austin Tice, a freelance journalist, vanished in Syria in 2012 while covering the civil war. Despite extensive efforts, his exact fate remains unknown. The recent collapse of Assad’s regime has sparked renewed hope for fresh intelligence.
Russia has been a key backer of Assad, intervening militarily in 2015 to support his regime. Following the regime’s downfall, Assad fled to Moscow with his family.
Putin’s commitment to raising the issue with Assad adds a new dimension to the ongoing quest for Tice’s return, though it remains uncertain whether the discussions will yield any breakthroughs.
