Austin Tice: Mother of missing American journalist renews search in Syria

“I never had a doubt… I always knew (Tice) was going to walk free. And you know we have a whole new way of thinking about how that’s going to happen,” he said. “I can hardly wait to hug (her).”

On Sunday — Debra Tice, who says she even wears a “Free Austin Tice” sign at home — met with Syria’s de facto leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the worst crimes under the Assad regime. .

He said he hoped the families would continue to allow the facilities where the prisoners were held to “allow people to search and hold on to hope.”

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

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

“I want to be one of those families that finds my loved one, hugs him and takes him home,” he said.