April 23, 2025 11:38 pm
Full News

US man found wandering near Damascus after months in Syrian prison


A U.S. man, identified as Travis Timmerman, has shared his harrowing experience of being imprisoned in Syria for months after entering the country on foot. His release came amidst a wave of prison uprisings as rebel forces toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
Timmerman was discovered by residents near Damascus, lying on a sofa and recounting his ordeal to local reporters. He explained that he had been detained upon entering Syria seven months ago. The 30-year-old described his release as dramatic, with two hammer-wielding men breaking down his cell door during the chaos that followed the fall of Assad’s regime.
“It was busted down—it woke me up,” Timmerman told reporters. Initially, he feared the guards were still present, but soon realized there was no resistance. “Once we got out, there was no real fighting,” he said, recounting his escape alongside a large group of detainees.
A Perilous Journey
Before his arrest, Timmerman was reported missing in May. He had last been seen in Budapest, Hungary, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol and Hungarian authorities. Speaking to the media, Timmerman said he had entered Syria via the mountains from Lebanon on what he described as a “pilgrimage,” driven by his deep engagement with scripture.
Since his release, he has been trying to reach Jordan but faces challenges securing shelter and food. Despite this, he expressed gratitude for the hospitality of local Syrians, who have provided him with assistance. “They were coming to me, mostly,” he said of the help he received.
US Efforts to Bring Timmerman Home
The U.S. government has acknowledged Timmerman’s plight. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking during a visit to Jordan, confirmed that efforts were underway to bring him home but declined to provide details. Timmerman, who has remained in contact with his family during his detention, reportedly declined an immediate opportunity to connect with American officials.
The Fall of Assad and a Nation’s Reckoning
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime over the weekend has led to the release of thousands of prisoners from Syria’s notoriously harsh detention centers. Videos circulating on social media show disoriented men, women, and children emerging from overcrowded, windowless cells.
The Assad regime’s prisons have long been infamous for brutality, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimating that nearly 60,000 detainees were tortured and killed under Assad’s rule. Families have been rushing to former detention centers, desperate to locate missing loved ones.
The White Helmets, Syria’s Civil Defence Organisation, have played a critical role in this effort. Known for rescuing survivors during Syria’s civil war, they have turned their expertise to recovering detainees. “We’re looking for secret prisons in several areas of Damascus,” said Raed Saleh, director of the White Helmets. Their teams, equipped with sniffer dogs and lock-breaking tools, are working to uncover hidden cells.
Justice and Closure
Rebel leaders have vowed to hold those responsible for torture and killings accountable. Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, stated, “We will pursue them in Syria and ask countries to hand over those who fled so we can achieve justice.”
However, the path to closure remains fraught with challenges. At the infamous Saydnaya prison complex, referred to as the “human slaughterhouse” by human rights groups, progress has been slow. “Our inability to reach anyone else in Saydnaya after the initial release of prisoners means that those people who were there are either dead or in another place,” Saleh admitted.
For Timmerman, his release represents a personal salvation amidst a nation’s reckoning. “I’m feeling well,” he told CBS. “I’ve been fed and watered.” Despite his ordeal, he appears to have been relatively well-treated compared to others.
Meanwhile, the U.S. continues efforts to locate other Americans missing in Syria, including journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in 2012. President Joe Biden has reaffirmed the belief that Tice is still alive, but pinpointing his location remains a top priority.

Related News
Fuel Tanker Explosion in Nigeria Kills 18
Marvel Unveils Time-Traveling Next Chapter for ‘Fantastic Four’
Continuous Rocket Attacks from Gaza to Israel by Hamas
Catholics in Indonesia’s Aceh Celebrate Muted Christmas Amid Islamic Law
Iran Develops Deadly AI-Powered Cruise Missile
Are Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, and Other Seasoned Journalists’ Cases Finally Getting Congressional Attention?
Related Posts
MIDI Strategic Vision: Analysis of Development and Economic Impact in Bangladesh.
Title: South Asia’s Growth Prospects Declining Alarmingly: World Bank
India Declares Pakistani Military Advisers ‘Persona Non Grata’
India Cancels Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan Following Kashmir Attack
Swachip Office Vandalized Amid Political Turmoil : Bangladeshi Doctors’ Body Blames ‘Illegitimate Yunus Government’
Modi Avoids Pakistani Airspace on Return from Saudi Arabia
More News

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Confirmed as U.S. Health Secretary Amid Controversy

Washington, D.C. – The Senate has confirmed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the next U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a 52-48 vote, with all Democrats and Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell opposing his nomination. Kennedy, a longtime activist and vocal critic of mainstream scientific views, takes on the leadership of HHS, overseeing […]

Ukraine Rejects U.S. Proposal to Transfer 50% of Mineral Resources

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected a U.S. proposal that would have required Ukraine to transfer 50% of its mineral resources. This proposal was presented during a secret meeting on Wednesday, according to five sources. The U.S. news outlet The New York Times reported the incident. Two European officials revealed that under this unusual agreement, […]

Massive Fire in North Macedonian Nightclub Kills at Least 51

A devastating fire broke out at a nightclub in North Macedonia, a landlocked country in Southeastern Europe, resulting in the deaths of at least 51 people and injuring around 100 others. According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday (March 16) in a nightclub located […]

Elon Musk’s Vision for America’s Future Sparks Enthusiasm!

In an impassioned address, entrepreneur and visionary Elon Musk has ignited optimism about the future of America. Musk’s recent statements reflect a profound sense of achievement and a bold vision for the years ahead. “This is what victory feels like!” Musk declared, emphasizing the significance of the moment. “This was no ordinary victory. This was […]

Trump Blames Saudi Arabia for Ukraine War, Demands Lower Oil Prices

In a bold statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Donald Trump blamed Saudi Arabia for the ongoing war in Ukraine and demanded that the kingdom lower oil prices to help end the conflict. Trump asserted that high oil prices are fueling the war, and a reduction could bring it to an immediate […]

Apple’s AI-Powered iPhone 16 Sees Varied Sales Across Markets

Apple’s latest iPhone 16 models are seeing mixed sales performances across different regions, and Apple CEO Tim Cook suggests that the company’s AI platform, Apple Intelligence, plays a significant role in this discrepancy. In a recent interview with CNBC, Cook highlighted that markets where Apple Intelligence has been rolled out are experiencing stronger iPhone 16 […]

70 Killed In Nigeria Petrol Tanker Explosion

At least 70 people have been killed in an explosion while collecting petrol from a tanker in Nigeria. The incident took place on Saturday morning in the Dikko area on the road connecting the capital Abuja to the northern city of Kaduna. Kumar Sukwam, head of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger state, […]

Pope Francis Installs 21 New Cardinals, Appears with Bruised Chin

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis presided over a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday to install 21 new Catholic cardinals, sporting a visible bruise on his chin, which the Vatican attributed to a minor fall the previous morning. The 87-year-old pontiff appeared in good spirits despite the purplish mark on the right side of […]

Jailed Ekrem Imamoglu Declared Presidential Candidate in Turkey

Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has declared jailed opposition leader and Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu as its candidate for the upcoming presidential election. A party spokesperson confirmed this to AFP on Monday. CHP, a center-left political party, is currently Turkey’s largest opposition force. Imamoglu, 58, is one of its top leaders. […]

Arakan Army’s Incursion into Bangladesh Sparks Sovereignty Concerns Amid Rohingya Repatriation Talks

April 21, 2025 – Dhaka Tensions have escalated along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border following a controversial incursion by Myanmar’s Arakan Army (AA) into Bangladesh’s Bandarban district. On April 16–17, uniformed and armed AA members organized a two-day “Arakan Water Festival” in the Remakri Mukh area of Thanchi upazila, approximately 10 kilometers inside Bangladeshi territory. The event […]