Ex-Syrian Officer Claims Executed US Journalist Austin Tice Linked to Assad's Orders

Major General Bassam Al Hassan claims to have information on the fate of Austin Tice, who vanished in 2012.

Former Major General Bassam Al Hassan, a key figure in the ousted Syrian regime, has publicly alleged that the execution of missing American journalist Austin Tice was ordered by former President Bashar al-Assad. This revelation emerged from security sources and is part of a forthcoming investigation by the BBC, detailing Tice's disappearance after his abduction near Damascus in 2012.

Al Hassan, who oversaw the paramilitary group National Defence Forces (NDF), was connected to Tice's captivity as new evidence contradicts previous claims by the Assad government that they were unaware of the journalist's whereabouts. The BBC's investigation has indicated that Tice was indeed held in Damascus, contrary to the regime's continuance of denial.

Al Hassan, subject to multiple international sanctions, reportedly met with U.S. law enforcement officials to share his claims. He asserts that he initially attempted to persuade Assad against executing Tice but later conveyed the order, which he suggests was carried out. Furthermore, he has provided investigators with potential locations for Tice's remains, leading to ongoing efforts by the FBI to verify these claims and search those areas.

Despite the significant implications of his allegations, Western intelligence sources are skeptical regarding Assad’s direct involvement in such decisions, noting his inclination to avoid being connected to such actions. Debra Tice, Austin's mother, has been leading a relentless pursuit to find her son. After learning of Al Hassan's discussions with U.S. officials, she expressed a desire to meet him to inquire about her son, but those attempts were unsuccessful.

Her conviction remains strong, stating, "I still believe that my son is alive and that he will walk free," as she continues to rally attention towards her son’s case. Additional insights from former NDF members suggest that Tice may have held strategic importance as a potential negotiation "card" with the U.S., highlighting the complexities surrounding his kidnapping and the broader implications of geopolitics in Syria.

For years, U.S. officials have maintained that Tice, a former Marine and law student, is alive, but without concrete evidence to support their claims.