A shocking claim has emerged regarding the fate of missing American journalist Austin Tice: a former high-ranking Syrian commander alleges that ousted President Bashar al-Assad personally ordered Tice’s execution. This explosive accusation, shared by security sources with the BBC, stems from recent interactions between the former commander and US law enforcement officials.
The Commander and His Allegations
The commander in question is Major General Bassam Al Hassan, a significant figure within the former Syrian regime. As a former commander in the elite Republican Guards and a member of President Assad’s inner circle, Al Hassan held considerable power. He also served as Chief of Staff of the National Defence Forces (NDF), a paramilitary group previously identified by a BBC investigation as being responsible for holding Austin Tice after his abduction in 2012. Al Hassan reportedly oversaw the very facility where the American journalist was detained.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Al Hassan met with US investigators from the FBI and CIA multiple times in Lebanon earlier this year. Some of these sensitive discussions are said to have taken place within the US embassy complex. It was during these meetings that Al Hassan reportedly claimed President Assad issued the order for Austin Tice’s execution. He is said to have told officials that he initially attempted to dissuade Assad but ultimately conveyed the command, and that the execution was carried out. Furthermore, Al Hassan is understood to have provided potential locations where the journalist’s body might be found.
The claim is part of findings expected to be revealed in an upcoming BBC Radio 4 podcast investigation into Austin Tice’s disappearance.
Behind the Claim: Skepticism and Context
While efforts are underway by the FBI to verify Al Hassan’s claims, including planned searches of the purported locations, Western intelligence sources familiar with the details reportedly express skepticism. They note that President Assad is known for utilizing mechanisms to distance himself from direct involvement in sensitive or controversial actions, making a direct execution order seem uncharacteristic of his operational style.
It’s important to note the context of these revelations. Major General Bassam Al Hassan, who is subject to sanctions from the UK, EU, Canada, and the US, reportedly fled to Iran following the dramatic collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024. As Syria navigates a complex political transition led by an interim government, Al Hassan was reportedly contacted while in Iran and asked to travel to Lebanon for the meetings with US officials, allegedly receiving assurances he would not be detained. This backdrop of political upheaval and the former commander’s changed circumstances may factor into the assessment of his claims.
Austin Tice: The Missing Journalist
Austin Tice, a freelance journalist and former US Marine Captain who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was abducted near Damascus in August 2012, shortly after his 31st birthday. He had been working independently and was preparing to leave Syria when he vanished.
For years, the Assad regime consistently denied any knowledge of Tice’s whereabouts. However, a previous BBC investigation refuted these denials, presenting evidence, including insights from secret Syrian intelligence files, that confirmed Mr. Tice was indeed held by the regime in Damascus.
A Mother’s Unwavering Fight
Debra Tice, Austin’s mother, has led a relentless and determined campaign to find her son and bring him home. As the 13th anniversary of his disappearance approaches, she traveled to Beirut and, upon learning of Al Hassan’s meetings with US officials, attempted to meet with him directly, requesting assistance from the US embassy. Her attempt was unsuccessful.
When asked about Major General Al Hassan’s claims, Debra Tice voiced her skepticism, suggesting he might have presented “a story that they wanted to hear” to FBI officials to help them close the long-standing case. Despite the grave nature of the new claim, Debra Tice maintains her profound belief that her son is alive. “I am his mother,” she told the BBC, “I still believe that my son is alive and that he will walk free.”
Adding another perspective, a former member of the NDF with direct knowledge of Austin Tice’s detention told the BBC that the regime understood Tice’s potential value and viewed him as a “card” that could be leveraged in diplomatic negotiations with the United States.
The US Position
For over a decade, consecutive US presidents have publicly stated their belief that Austin Tice remains alive and have expressed commitment to securing his return. As recently as December 2024, around the time of the Assad regime’s collapse, then-President Joe Biden reiterated this stance, telling reporters the US believed Tice was alive and that they thought they could get him back, while acknowledging the lack of direct evidence at the time.
The claim of execution by a former insider adds a deeply disturbing new layer to the complex and protracted mystery of Austin Tice’s disappearance, though it conflicts with the long-held public position of the US government and the fervent hope of his family. Investigations into the commander’s allegations and planned searches for potential grave sites are ongoing.
