WH calls for release of missing US journalist

The White House called Tuesday for the release of U.S. journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria more than two and a half years ago.

{mosads}”This week, it is with a heavy heart that we mark American journalist Austin Tice’s 1,000th day in captivity,” National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said in a statement. “We strongly urge Austin’s captors to release him so that he can be safely reunited with his family.”

Tice disappeared in 2012 while covering the Syrian civil war as a freelance journalist. The identity of his captors and his current whereabouts remain unclear.

In March, the State Department acknowledged the Obama administration had taken the unusual step of contacting the government of Syrian President Bashar Assad about Tice’s case.

The Czech government, which acts as the U.S.’s protecting power in Syria, is also attempting to secure Tice’s release.

“The United States government will continue to work tirelessly to bring Austin home to his parents, Debra and Marc, and his brothers and sisters, who have endured anguish and suffering since Austin’s abduction,” said Meehan.