American Released From Syrian Prison Flown Out Of Country, U.S. Official Says
HuffPost
Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a U.S. official said Friday.
Travis Timmerman was flown out of Syria on a U.S. military helicopter, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation.
Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.”
Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them.
We Need Your SupportOther news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
More than 600 children gathered in Catalao,Brazil, to receive presents from Santa, who endured the tropical heat dressed in his traditional red suit.
The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding and smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also agreed to join the talks.
Israel has carried out daily strikes in Gaza more than 14 months into the war with Hamas.
Four women and a 9-year-old boy were killed in the Magdeburg attack, according to police.
Witnesses told rescue teams that the bus blew a tire, causing the driver to lose control and collide with a truck.
The driver of the car was arrested, German news agency dpa reported.
The Russian president said he plans to ask ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad about Austin Tice, a U.S. journalist who went missing in Damascus in 2012.
Dominique Pelicot received the maximum possible sentence under French law for drugging and raping and wife and allowing other men to rape her while she was unconscious.
French judges plan to deliver hugely anticipated verdicts this week in a historic drugging-and-rape trial that has turned the victim, Gisèle Pelicot, into a feminist hero.
The brother of King Charles said that he “ceased all contact” with Yang Tengbo after the U.K. government raised concerns.
The news outlet reported the man was said to have been involved with the collapsed Assad regime as an intelligence officer.