On Wednesday, Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates denied accusations from Washington on kidnapping American journalist Austin Tice and several other US citizens in 2012. A foreign ministry statement released by SANA stressed that Syrian authorities "are not responsible for Americans who have worked closely with terrorist groups."
"Claims by US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the Syrian government is holding Austin Tice and a group of other citizens captive are misleading to the American public," the statement said. - "The Syrian authorities have not kidnapped any American citizens who were on Syrian soil. Damascus noted that "the US administration itself encouraged its citizens to enter Syria illegally and to join the gangs supported in the West."
At the same time, the Syrian MFA points out that "any dialogue with Syria or official communication should be based on respect for its sovereignty and respect for the principle of non-interference in internal affairs."
"Therefore, the United States should withdraw its armed forces illegally stationed on Syrian territory, stop exporting Syrian oil and wheat, and refuse to support separatist forces as well as terrorist groups at the military base in the border town of Al-Tanf," the statement said. In addition, Damascus calls on the US to lift "unjust unilateral sanctions imposed on the Syrian people."
On August 10, the White House administration said it expects Syrian authorities to cooperate in bringing home American journalist Austin Tice, who has reported from Syria for several US publications, including The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal. Tice, who previously served in the US Marine Corps, has been missing since 2012. One version is that he was detained by Syrian authorities in southern Damascus on suspicion of ties to the CIA.
US President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken requested Syrian authorities to stop detaining Tice and facilitate his return to his homeland. Roger Carstens, the US President's Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs, has been working with the Syrian government to secure the release of all American citizens detained during the military conflict.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Bernard Gagnon/Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS