American citizen Travis Pete Timmerman, aged 29, was found in the suburbs of Damascus after being detained for seven months since crossing into the country on a Christian pilgrimage. His discovery has raised hopes for other foreign nationals missing in Syria. Timmerman was last seen in Budapest and was mistaken for American journalist Austin Tice in a video that emerged online. US officials are working to confirm Timmerman’s identity and provide support. They are also trying to bring him back home.
Timmerman’s mother expressed relief at the news of her son’s discovery, saying her prayers had been answered. Timmerman said he had crossed the border from Lebanon on foot before being detained and imprisoned for seven months. Syrian TV showed Timmerman saying he was helped to escape the prison where he was held after the regime collapsed. He reported being treated decently while in detention and expressed gratitude for being found.
The discovery of Timmerman has sparked hopes of finding other missing foreign nationals in Syria, including Austin Tice, a journalist who has been missing since 2012. The US government remains committed to finding and bringing Tice home, with reports suggesting he is alive and well. Efforts are being made to locate Tice and other Americans wrongfully detained in Syria. The FBI is offering a reward for information leading to Tice’s safe return, while US officials are in contact with rebel groups in Syria to prioritize locating Tice.
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