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The U.S. military evacuated 29-year-old Travis Timmerman from Syria on Friday, following his release from a notorious prison operated by forces loyal to former President Bashar Assad. Timmerman, who had disappeared seven months ago during a pilgrimage, was freed during a rebel-led uprising that ousted Assad from Damascus.
Timmerman was transported to Jordan on a U.S. military helicopter, officials confirmed. His future destination remains uncertain, though he expressed a desire to remain in the region.
Timmerman, from Urbana, Missouri, described his time in Syria’s infamous Palestine Branch detention facility, where he was held separately from other prisoners. Despite the dire conditions, he reported no mistreatment. His release came amid a wave of prisoner liberations as rebels took control of the capital.
U.S.-based Syrian opposition activist Mouaz Moustafa shared a photo of Timmerman after his rescue, stating, “Safe and sound and back in American hands.”
Timmerman’s mother, Stacey Gardiner, expressed relief but noted the family had not yet spoken to him.
This operation has drawn renewed attention to the case of Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared near Damascus in 2012. Efforts to locate Tice have continued, with activists and officials pursuing various leads, though no definitive progress has been made.
Nizar Zakka, president of Hostage Aid Worldwide, criticized the U.S. government’s $10 million reward for information on Tice, citing an influx of false tips. Despite ongoing efforts, Tice’s fate remains unresolved.
The rescue of Timmerman highlights the complexities of Syria’s conflict and the risks faced by foreign nationals detained amid its upheaval.
