In a recent development from Damascus, a U.S. citizen who had been missing for seven months has reported that he was freed from a notorious prison associated with the regime of former Syrian President Bashar Assad. Travis Timmerman, who described his release as a “blessing,” spoke to the media from his hotel where he arrived after rebels took control of the capital, marking the end of Assad’s long-standing rule. This week saw the release of many detainees from Syria’s military prisons.

Timmerman, 29, who had traveled to Syria for a Christian pilgrimage, stated that he did not face mistreatment during his detention at the Palestine Branch, a facility infamous for harsh conditions. He recounted how he was liberated when the “liberators” broke down his cell door using a hammer. The Islamist rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which spearheaded the offensive against Assad’s regime, later confirmed his release and expressed their willingness to engage with U.S. authorities to locate other American citizens still unaccounted for, including journalist Austin Tice, who vanished in Syria over a decade ago.

Freed alongside a young Syrian man and several female prisoners, many of whom were with their children, Timmerman described his experience over the seven months of detention. He was isolated from other prisoners, such as Syrian nationals, and was unaware of any other Americans being held at the facility. He was detained in June after crossing into Syria from Lebanon, where he underwent intense interrogation. While he endured implicit threats of violence, he was allowed to contact his family three weeks before his release.

During his time in prison, he experienced daily explosions—coinciding with increased military activity from Israel—yet he managed to maintain some semblance of routine. Timmerman explained that the calls to prayer provided him with a sense of time and structure. His diet primarily consisted of basic sustenance like bread and rice, with occasional potatoes or tomatoes. Although his circumstances were far from ideal, he found moments of reflection valuable within the confines of detention.

Upon his release, Timmerman appeared somewhat disheveled but was grateful for the opportunity to recuperate. He mentioned his intention to return to Damascus after first being taken in by a Syrian family who found him dehydrated and hungry on the outskirts of the city. Their kindness included medical assistance as well as nourishment, aiding him in his recovery before his eventual handover to U.S. authorities was arranged.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken has indicated that the U.S. government is actively working to facilitate Timmerman’s return from Syria. Meanwhile, efforts to locate missing journalist Austin Tice are ongoing, with U.S. officials asserting their dedication to resolving his case, despite a lack of evidence regarding his current condition.

Tice, a former freelance reporter whose work has appeared in several notable publications, vanished at the height of the Syrian conflict in 2012, an incident that remains unresolved and is a source of frustration for U.S. intelligence efforts. The commitment to prioritize these cases reflects the ongoing challenges and humanitarian concerns associated with the decades-long conflict in Syria.