A startling revelation regarding the fate of Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria over a decade ago, has surfaced. Major General Bassam Al Hassan, who once commanded Syria’s elite Republican Guard and was a top adviser to former President Bashar al-Assad, claims that Tice was executed on direct orders from Assad.
The shocking claim was first reported by the BBC on June 15. Al Hassan, who has held various senior military roles including Chief of Staff of the National Defense Forces (NDF), stated that he oversaw Tice’s captivity after the journalist was abducted in 2012.
Austin Tice was taken captive near the Syrian capital in August 2012, shortly after his 31st birthday. At the time, he was working as a freelance journalist and was preparing to leave the country when he was seized by forces aligned with Assad’s regime. For years, the Syrian government denied any knowledge regarding Tice’s whereabouts. However, evidence gathered by the BBC suggests that he was held in a military facility in Damascus, with Al Hassan playing a significant role in overseeing the site.
The implications of Al Hassan’s claims extend beyond mere allegations. They form part of an upcoming BBC Radio 4 podcast that investigates the circumstances surrounding Tice’s disappearance and presumed death. The podcast promises to present fresh insights into a case that has puzzled officials and his family for years.
Al Hassan’s statements reportedly arose during meetings with U.S. intelligence officials earlier this year in Lebanon, including a session at the U.S. Embassy. During these discussions, he claimed that Assad personally ordered Tice’s execution. Al Hassan further asserted that although he initially attempted to prevent the execution, he eventually complied with the deadly order. Nevertheless, specifics regarding the timing of Tice’s alleged execution were not disclosed in the BBC’s findings.
Skepticism surrounds Al Hassan’s bold claims. Western intelligence sources expressed doubts about the veracity of his statements, suggesting that Assad is known to issue orders in a manner that allows him plausible deniability. As a result, U.S. officials have not confirmed these allegations, and investigations are reportedly ongoing.
Meanwhile, Tice’s mother, Debra Tice, expressed disbelief regarding Al Hassan’s account of her son’s fate. A BBC report followed her as she traveled to Beirut to mark the approaching 13th anniversary of her son’s abduction. After hearing about Al Hassan’s meetings with U.S. officials, she made attempts to meet with him but was unsuccessful.
Debra Tice accused Al Hassan of fabricating a story to provide U.S. officials with a narrative they wish to hear, maintaining her belief that her son is still alive. “I am his mother; I still believe that my son is alive and that he will walk free,” she told the BBC, embodying the hope that has fueled her quest for over a decade.
In addition to Al Hassan’s contentious assertions, former members of the NDF have indicated that Tice was understood to have value for the Assad regime. According to one source, Austin Tice represented a potential asset that could be leveraged in diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. This notion adds complexity to the context of Al Hassan’s claims, invoking questions about the motivations behind the alleged order for Tice’s execution.
Al Hassan’s situation has become increasingly precarious. Following the overthrow of Assad’s regime in December 2024, he fled to Iran. The BBC reported that during his time in Iran, he received a call instructing him to meet U.S. investigators in Lebanon. Allegations have emerged that an agreement was made, one where Al Hassan would avoid detention in exchange for his cooperation with U.S. intelligence.
Efforts to recover Austin Tice have not ceased, as the Biden administration sent a special envoy for hostages to Lebanon in late 2024. This diplomatic engagement coincided with a period in which Syrian rebels were releasing political prisoners and critics of the Assad government.
President Joe Biden expressed optimism regarding Tice’s potential survival, stating, “We believe he’s alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.” U.S. diplomats have reportedly traveled to Damascus to engage with rebel leaders, aiming to negotiate the return of American citizens missing in Syria, including Tice.
As the story continues to develop, the quest to uncover the truth surrounding Austin Tice’s disappearance remains a high priority for both his family and U.S. officials, each holding onto the hope that he might still be alive and could one day come home.
image source from：https://san.com/cc/assad-advisor-claims-us-journalist-austin-tice-was-executed-in-syria-report/
