American Man Rescued From Syrian Prison Amid Rebel Takeover
13-12-2024
Travis Timmerman, a Missouri man, was found in Syria after months in prison.
credit: CBS News/Agnes Reau
credit: CBS News/Agnes Reau
He was detained in April for entering Syria illegally during a pilgrimage.
credit: Getty Images
credit: Getty Images
Timmerman said he was freed when rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad. "My door was busted down," he recalled. He said his prison door was broken open by two men armed with AK-47s.
credit: Getty Images
credit: Getty Images
"I thought the guards were still there," Timmerman said. "Once we got out, there was no resistance."
credit: CBS News/Agnes Reau
credit: CBS News/Agnes Reau
Timmerman had been walking toward Jordan after his escape, relying on locals for help. "They were coming to me, mostly," he said.
credit: Getty Images
credit: Getty Images
His family, unaware of his location for months, called his rescue "a Christmas miracle." His mother, Stacey Collins Gardiner, said, "I will hug him. ... And then I probably won't let him go,"