History of Austin Tice in Timeline

Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist and Marine veteran, was kidnapped in Syria on August 13, 2012, while reporting on the conflict. He is the longest-held American journalist and second-longest globally. The U.S. government long suspected the Assad regime was holding Tice, with Syrian intelligence files and former officials confirming this after the regime's fall, according to a BBC report in June 2025.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Challenges & Struggles

August 11, 1981: Austin Tice Born

On August 11, 1981, Austin Bennett Tice was born. He later became an American freelance journalist and a veteran U.S. Marine Corps officer.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Graduated from Georgetown University

In 2002, Austin Tice graduated from the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

May 2012: Entered Syria to Report on Civil War

In May 2012, Austin Tice entered Syria to report on the intensification of the civil war. He traveled through central Syria, filing battlefield dispatches.

July 2012: Arrived in Damascus

In late July 2012, Austin Tice arrived in Damascus after traveling through central Syria and filing battlefield dispatches.

August 11, 2012: Last Tweet

On August 11, 2012, Austin Tice stopped tweeting from his Twitter account, which had garnered 2,000 followers. He was kidnapped shortly after.

August 13, 2012: Kidnapped in Syria

On August 13, 2012, Austin Tice, an American freelance journalist, was kidnapped while reporting in Syria. He became the longest detained American journalist in history.

September 2012: Video Released

In September 2012, a 47-second video of Austin Tice blindfolded and bound was released following his abduction in Darayya, Syria.

October 2012: U.S. Government Believed Tice Was in Assad Regime Custody

In October 2012, the U.S. government believed, based on limited information, that Austin Tice was in the custody of the Assad regime.

2013: Reported Escape and Recapture

In early 2013, after five months of captivity, reports emerged that Austin Tice was able to escape from his cell and was found wandering through the Mazzeh neighborhood of Damascus, marking the first time he had been publicly seen since his abduction. After being spotted by locals, he went to the house of a prominent Syrian family, but was soon recaptured.

April 2018: FBI Increased Reward

In April 2018, the FBI increased their reward for information regarding Austin Tice's whereabouts to $1 million.

August 2018: US Believed Tice Was Held by Syrian Government

In August 2018, the State Department said that the U.S. government still believed Austin Tice was being held by the Syrian government or its allies and maintained "ongoing dialogue" with the Syrian government regarding Tice.

November 2018: US Called on Russia to Help Secure Release

In November 2018, Reuters reported that Robert C. O'Brien, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, had called on Russia to "exert whatever influence they have in Syria" to secure Austin Tice's release. The Syrian government claimed to be unaware of his whereabouts.

December 2018: Parents Received New Information

In December 2018, Austin Tice's parents announced they had received new information indicating their son was still alive and expressed hope for direct talks between the US and Syrian governments. They spoke to reporters from Beirut.

2022: Biden Invites Tice's Parents to White House

In 2022, after Austin Tice's disappearance was mentioned at the White House Correspondents Dinner, President Joe Biden invited Tice's parents to the White House for a meeting, after which they expressed hope for his return. Biden stated the U.S. knew "with certainty" Tice was held by the Syrian government.

May 3, 2024: Biden Stated Tice Remains Hostage

On May 3, 2024—World Press Freedom Day 2024—President Biden stated that Austin Tice remained a hostage in Syria.

December 8, 2024: Biden: "We believe he's alive"

On December 8, 2024, the day of the fall of the Assad regime, President Biden stated, "We believe he's alive" regarding Austin Tice. He added that the U.S. thought they could get him back but had no direct evidence yet.

December 18, 2024: Netanyahu Promised Not to Strike Near Prison

On December 18, 2024, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised he would not strike the area near the prison where Austin Tice might be held, following a letter from Tice's mother urging him to halt Israel’s airstrikes in Syria.

June 2025: Confirmation of Assad Regime Holding Tice

In June 2025, Syrian intelligence files uncovered by the BBC and confirmation from former Syrian officials verified that Austin Tice had been held by the Assad regime. The BBC reported that the FBI and CIA had interviewed Major General Bassam al-Hassan, accused of being responsible for holding Tice captive, earlier in the year.

June 2025: Syrian Files Confirm Assad Regime Held Tice

In June 2025, Syrian intelligence files uncovered by the BBC, along with confirmation from former Syrian officials after the fall of the Assad regime, confirmed that Austin Tice had been held by the Assad regime since his kidnapping.