A Missouri resident believed to be missing US citizen Travis Timmerman, 29, was discovered in Damascus, Syria, after allegedly being freed from jail. Local residents stumbled upon Timmerman wandering barefoot in a neighborhood just south of the Syrian capital.
Reports suggest that thousands of individuals have been released from prisons across Syria following the ousting of former president Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces. In a video shared on Thursday, the man identifying himself as Travis Timmerman simply stated, “My name is Travis,” emphasizing his American nationality.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Timmerman disclosed that he had been held in a Syrian prison for several months due to unauthorized entry into the country via its border with Lebanon. His purported reason for traveling to Syria was for “spiritual purposes,” as per his statements to the news outlet.
Timmerman recounted the moment his cell door was forcibly opened by two armed individuals on Monday, allowing him to escape alongside a larger group attempting to reach Jordan. Despite the circumstances of his detention, he mentioned that his time in the Syrian prison was relatively tolerable, noting that he was not subjected to physical abuse but faced restrictions on accessing bathroom facilities.
Speaking to Al-Arabiya TV, Timmerman reiterated his account of events, shedding light on his experiences during captivity. The news of Timmerman’s disappearance first surfaced when Hungarian authorities issued an alert in August, with a family friend later revealing that he had been missing since June. His last known whereabouts were reported in Budapest in late May, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Acknowledging the situation, a US official informed CNN that the American government is aware of the reports concerning an individual discovered outside Damascus and is prepared to offer assistance. Due to privacy considerations, detailed information is currently unavailable for public disclosure.
CNN has reached out to Timmerman’s relatives and acquaintances for their perspectives on the unfolding events. This story remains fluid, and updates will be provided as new information emerges.
Contributions to this report were made by CNN’s Jennifer Hansler. Stay informed with the latest news and updates by creating an account on CNN.com.
