Debra Tice, the mother of missing journalist Austin Tice, has returned to Syria for the first time in nearly a decade, hoping to revive the search for her son, who was abducted in 2012 during the ongoing civil conflict. According to BBC, this trip comes after a significant political shift in the region, following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime by rebel forces.

"We had information, but the whole world changed," Debra Tice expressed during her visit to Damascus, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding her son’s fate. Austin Tice was last seen in a video that surfaced weeks after his capture, showing him blindfolded and held by armed men, and his mother believes he may still be alive, as President Joe Biden recently indicated.

Debra Tice met with several officials, including the new de facto leader of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has pledged to assist in locating Austin. "They know what we are going through," Tice remarked concerning their shared understanding of loss and hope. She is also optimistic about the incoming Trump administration’s support in her son's case, stating that officials from the administration have already initiated communication with her about providing assistance.

During a press conference in Damascus, Debra mentioned how meaningful her relationships with Syrian mothers of missing loved ones have become, noting that many families have been torn apart during the civil war. Tice visited former military prisons during her trip, acknowledging the horrors associated with them, and expressed her unwavering belief that her son will one day return home.

While no new evidence has surfaced regarding Austin's whereabouts, Debra remains hopeful and resolute. "Austin, if you can somehow hear this, I love you. I know you’re not giving up, and neither am I," she conveyed, demonstrating her enduring commitment to finding her son amid the tumultuous backdrop of Syria’s political landscape. For further details, refer to NPR and The Hill.