Syria denies holding American journalist Austin Theis

Damascus, Syria — Syria announced on Wednesday US journalist Austin Theis or others after President Biden accused the Syrian government of detaining him. He denied that he was detaining an American.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that Damascus "denies kidnapping and denies holding American citizens on its territory."

"Last week, the United States released misleading and illogical statements by the United States President and Secretary of State that involved the kidnapping or detention of American citizens, including former US Marine Austin Tice. It contained unsubstantiated accusations against Syria of having done so," the statement said.

Last week, Biden's comments were announced by the White House to mark the 10th anniversary of Tyce's abduction while he was in Syria. It covers that lengthy dispute that was contained in the statement made. Biden's remarks are the clearest indication so far that the United States is convinced that Tais is being held by President Bashar Assad's government.

Biden said last week "We know for sure that he is being held by the Syrian government," he said in a statement. “We have repeatedly asked the Syrian government to work with us so that we can bring Austin home.”

State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters on Tuesday that the US government said it was pressuring Syria to repatriate all Americans. Specifically, he said the Biden administration "is extensively involved, including directly through Syrian officials and third parties," in the case of Mr. Tais.

"Syria never admitted to detaining him," Price said of Theis, adding, "We are not going to deter our efforts. We will do everything in our power to ensure Austin's safe return." I will pursue it," he added.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied in a statement that it had been in covert contact with US officials regarding the missing Americans, stating that "official dialogue with the US government is based on Syria's sovereignty." It will only be released with the respect of the ."

In May, Lebanese security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim met with U.S. officials in Washington as part of the US-Syrian arbitration for Thaïs' release. Lebanon's head of security, Ibrahim, has brokered complex hostage releases in the past.

In May, Mr. Biden met with Theis' parents and promised, "I can't wait to see Austin back with his family."

Austin's mother, , told CBS News last week. walk freely

"The U.S. government has worked hard to convince me that they are working on this issue," she said. "My answer is this. Don't tell me. Show me." Two high-ranking U.S. officials, including Roger Carstens of Other Americans missing in Syria. Syrian officials provided no meaningful information about Tais, but it was the highest level of talks between the United States and the Assad regime in years.

Shortly after his 31st birthday, he went missing at a checkpoint in a conflict zone west of the capital, Damascus. A video released a month later showed him being blindfolded and being hugged by armed men, saying "Oh yes." I haven't heard from him since.

Thaiss is one of his two Americans who have gone missing in Syria. Another is Virginia-born psychologist Majid Kamarmaz, who disappeared in Syria in 2017.

Tice is a native of Houston, and his work has been published in the Washington Post, McClatchy's newspapers, and other media. He went to Syria to cover the conflict that began in 2011. The war killed hundreds of thousands and displaced nearly half of his pre-conflict population of 23 million. Of which he has more than 5 million outside the country.

In:
• Austin
• Hostage crisis
• Joe Biden
• Texas
• Syria
• Kidnapping
• Damascus
• Crime