NBC reported on a letter from the mother of a journalist missing in Syria to Putin to help find her son

Debra Tice, mother of US journalist Austin Tice, has sent a message to Russian President Vladimir Putin with a request to help find her son, who disappeared 12 years ago in Syria. This was reported by the American television channel NBC on December 19.

"The current situation in Syria compels us to ask for your help in finding Austin and safely reuniting our family," NBC quoted the mother's letter as saying.

The woman stated her readiness to meet her son in Moscow or any other place to bring him home. It is emphasized that she has "no qualms" about seeking help from the Russian leader.

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Theis was a freelance reporter and also worked for publications such as The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. In August 2012, he disappeared in Syria. It was later reported that the American journalist was allegedly found to have violated migration laws and was convicted under local laws.

On October 19, 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that a senior U.S. administration official, Cash Patel, flew to Damascus for talks with Syrian authorities to negotiate the release of Americans allegedly held in Syria, including Austin Tice.

On December 8, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad stepped down as head of state after talks with the opposition and left the country, instructing a peaceful transfer of power. Syria's national coalition of revolutionary and opposition forces said it was working to form a transitional authority. The country is expected to hold a referendum.

The situation in Syria escalated as a result of a major attack by armed groups in Aleppo and Idlib, which began on November 28 and led to the Syrian army's retaliation against the militants.