Washington D.C., December 12, 2024 – Today, December 12, 2024 at 10 a.m. Syria time (3 a.m. EST time), Hostage Aid Worldwide President Nizar Zakka discovered the presence of U.S. citizen Travis Timmerman who was held captive in a Syrian prison, and whose existence in Syria was unknown to everyone. Nizar directly contacted the FBI Fusion Cell and informed them that Travis was found and he is now safe and in good hands. Travis was then seen by a doctor, given new clothes and a shower. Arrangements are being made to bring Travis back home to his family.

Travis is a 29 year old Missouri man who had traveled to Syria by foot after a brief stay in Lebanon for Christian spiritual purposes. Timmerman was found barefoot and disoriented, wandering the streets of Al Thiyabiyah after escaping Syria’s notorious Sednaya Prison where he had been detained for seven months. 

As pictures and videos of Travis surfaced in the media, he was mistakenly believed to be Austin Tice, the American journalist who has been missing in Syria since 2012. However, Hostage Aid was able to confirm his identity and release footage to the media, proving that the individual found was, in fact, Travis Timmerman. 

Hostage Aid is thankful that Travis has been found and wishes him a safe return to his family. We are grateful that we were able to play a role in alleviating the pain of a family whose loved one was unlawfully detained. However, our work is far from over. The search for Austin Tice continues with unwavering determination. We will not rest, no stone will be left unturned, no lead ignored, until Austin is brought home. His ordeal has lasted 12 long years, and it is well past time Austin returns to where he belongs. 

Hostage Aid will continue to work tirelessly on the ground in Damascus to ensure the identification and the safe rescue of all foreign detainees released, and remains committed in its mission to the release of all unlawful detainees and hostages around the world.