Austin Tice: Ex-Syrian Commander Claims Execution
- A former Syrian general,Bassam Al hassan,claims that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the execution of American journalist Austin Tice,who disappeared in Syria in 2012.
- Al Hassan, who faces sanctions from the U.S., UK, EU, and Canada, allegedly oversaw the facility where Tice was held.
- Tice, a freelance journalist and former Marine captain, vanished near Damascus in August 2012.
A shocking revelation: A former Syrian commander alleges that Bashar al-Assad ordered the execution of American journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012.The ex-official, Bassam Al Hassan, claims he relayed and carried out the execution order. The FBI is actively investigating these serious accusations, including searching possible burial sites, while Tice’s mother continues to hold onto hope for her son’s safe return. Despite conflicting accounts and skepticism from intelligence sources, the inquiry for the missing journalist presses forward. News Directory 3 keeps you informed. Discover what’s next in this developing story.
Ex-Official: Assad Ordered Execution of Austin Tice
Updated June 15,2025
A former Syrian general,Bassam Al hassan,claims that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ordered the execution of American journalist Austin Tice,who disappeared in Syria in 2012. Al Hassan, once a commander in the Republican Guards and Chief of Staff of the National Defense Forces (NDF), reportedly made the claim during meetings with U.S. law enforcement in Lebanon earlier this year.
Al Hassan, who faces sanctions from the U.S., UK, EU, and Canada, allegedly oversaw the facility where Tice was held. He told FBI and CIA investigators that he initially tried to dissuade Assad, but ultimately relayed and carried out the execution order, sources said.
Tice, a freelance journalist and former Marine captain, vanished near Damascus in August 2012. The Syrian regime has consistently denied knowing his whereabouts. A prior inquiry indicated Tice was held in Damascus.
Al Hassan has reportedly provided possible locations of Tice’s body. The FBI is investigating the validity of these claims and plans to search the sites.
Western intelligence sources are skeptical that Assad would directly order such an action, noting his tendency to distance himself from such orders.
Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, traveled to Beirut as the 13th anniversary of her son’s disappearance approaches. After learning of Al Hassan’s discussions with U.S. officials, she sought to meet with him, but was unsuccessful.
“I just want to be able to speak to him as a mother and ask him about my son,” Debra Tice said.
She expressed skepticism about Al Hassan’s claims, suggesting he may have told the FBI what they wanted to hear to close the case. Despite the grim claims, Debra Tice remains hopeful.
“I am his mother, I still believe that my son is alive and that he will walk free,” she said.
Another former NDF member stated Tice was considered a valuable asset for diplomatic negotiations with the U.S.
After the Syrian regime’s collapse in December, Al Hassan fled to iran. He was later asked to meet with U.S. officials in Lebanon, reportedly with assurances he would not be detained.
U.S. presidents have maintained that Tice was alive. In December 2024, then-President Joe Biden said, “We believe he’s alive,” but acknowledged a lack of direct evidence.
What’s next
The FBI investigation continues,with planned searches of potential burial sites. the U.S.government has not commented on the specifics of the investigation, but continues to state that finding Austin Tice remains a priority.