US Military Secures Release of Travis Pete Timmerman from Syria, Flies Him to Jordan
The U.S. military has successfully taken custody of Travis Pete Timmerman, an American citizen who had been held in Syria, and flown him to Jordan, marking a significant step in his safe return home.
A U.S. official confirmed to ABC News that Timmerman, 29, was released from a prison near Damascus on December 9, following the fall of the Assad regime. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has been working closely with the Department of State to ensure his safe repatriation.
The handover occurred at a remote U.S. base in southeastern Syria, known as At Tanf garrison, located near the Jordanian border. According to reports, forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) transported Timmerman to the base, where U.S. military personnel received him. There was no direct military operation in Damascus or western Syria. After the transfer, Timmerman was flown by U.S. military helicopter to Jordan for further processing.
The news of Timmerman’s safe return comes after a video surfaced online on Thursday, showing him in Syria. He had gone missing earlier this year in Hungary, but U.S. officials were unaware he had been in Syria until recently.
Timmerman’s family, who had feared for his safety, expressed overwhelming relief upon hearing the news. His stepfather, Richard Gardiner, told ABC News that the news was “the best Christmas gift ever.”
The U.S. State Department is now leading the efforts to bring Timmerman home, with a focus on ensuring his physical and emotional well-being. A State Department official emphasized the importance of respecting his privacy as he recovers from this difficult ordeal.
The Biden administration continues to work on securing the release of other Americans held in Syria, including freelance journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in 2012, in light of recent developments following the fall of the Assad regime.
