Austin Tice: The mother of the US journalist is missing, renews the search for Syria

“I have never had a moment of doubt… I always knew that (Tice) was going to walk free. And, you know, we have a whole new way of thinking about how that will happen,” he said. “I can hardly wait to put my arms around (him).”

On Sunday, Debra Tice – who says she wears a “Free Austin Tice” badge even at home – met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria, who vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the most serious crimes during the Assad regime . .

He said he hoped families would continue to have access to facilities where detainees are held “to allow people to search and keep hope”.

“I am here to meet people who understand the longing, to be able to celebrate with those who are reunited, and also to hold the hearts of those who are still searching and waiting and hoping and hoping and praying.”

He had visited Syria for the last time in 2015, when the country’s authorities stopped issuing him a visa. Now, he says, “people are more relaxed” and “children have smiles on their faces”.

“I want to be one of the mothers, one of the families that find my loved ones and put their arms around me and take them home,” she said.