US Tourist Freed After Months in Syrian Prison

Travis Timmerman, a 29-year-old from Urbana, Missouri, has finally been freed after spending seven months in a Syrian prison. Timmerman had ventured into Syria for a pilgrimage and was detained at the notorious Palestine Branch facility. Last month, he was set free alongside other prisoners during the takeover of the Syrian capital by rebels. Speaking to the Associated Press, Timmerman described his experience as a "blessing, " and he emphasized that he was not mistreated during his stay. He was among the thousands released this week as the former regime of longtime ruler Bashar Assad crumbled. Timmerman had entered Syria on foot from the eastern Lebanese town of Zahle, which led to his capture and questioning by Syrian intelligence. He faced interrogations for over three and a half hours, with his captors thinking he was a spy. Despite the tense situation, Timmerman heard women singing and teaching their children nearby, and he managed to call his family three weeks before his release. He could also hear explosions, possibly linked to the intensifying conflict between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.His living conditions were basic, with a mattress, drinking containers, and limited bathroom breaks. The calls to prayer helped him keep track of time. Timmerman gained weight initially due to the food he received, which included unleavened bread, rice, and oats—a treatment he believed was reserved for non-Syrian prisoners. Timmerman's mother, Stacey Gardiner, expressed relief upon hearing that her son was safe. She had reported him missing and had no way to contact him until his release. His sudden disappearance led to a Missouri State Highway Patrol bulletin and a missing persons announcement from Hungarian police. After his release, Timmerman was helped by rebels and a Syrian family who found him barefoot and cold on a country road. They provided him with shelter and food before he was picked up by rebels and is now being cared for until he can be safely transferred to U. S. authorities. U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed that efforts are underway to bring Timmerman home, though details are being withheld for privacy reasons. The case of missing American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, remains a top priority for the U. S. government, despite lack of direct evidence of his whereabouts.