US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken called on Syria to recognize the 10-year detention of American journalist Austin Tice, stressing that “we are committed to the repatriation of all American hostages and illegally detained around the world.” Vienna Convention Recognizing the Detention of Austin and All Other American Citizens as an Important Step towards their Release.”

Theis was arrested at a checkpoint near Damascus in August 2012 while covering the war in Syria. US President Joe Biden vowed to contact the “Syrian regime” directly to get Austin Tice back.

U.S. officials have expressed confidence that Tice is still alive, but since his arrest in 2012, according to his family, the only information released by its authors was a 43-second video titled “Austin Tice Lives” in which it is shown to be held by armed men. .

The administration of former US President Donald Trump actively lobbied for Tice’s release, including sending high-ranking officials to Damascus.