American Released from Syrian Prison Identified as Travis Timmerman, Not Austin Tice

Dec 12, 2024, 10:32 AM

An American man has been found in Syria, leading to initial speculation that he might be Austin Bennett Tice, the American journalist abducted in 2012 while reporting in Damascus. Unconfirmed reports from Syrian opposition sources suggested that a man resembling Tice was discovered in the town of al-Dhiabiyah near Damascus after his release from Sednaya Prison, also known as Far Falastin Prison. Photos and videos circulated, fueling rumors about his identity. However, journalist Clarissa Ward stated, "This is 100% not Austin Tice. I have no idea who it is but it is not Austin." Subsequent reports clarified that the individual is Travis Timmerman, an American citizen from Missouri. Timmerman described himself as a "pilgrim" and revealed that he had entered Syria illegally from Lebanon seven months ago on a religious pilgrimage. He had been imprisoned in Damascus and was released, then found in al-Dhiabiyah, where he was interviewed by Al Arabiya and Anadolu Agency.