American Man Found In Syria On Pilgrimage
Travis Timmerman, an American citizen from Missouri, was recently found in Syria after being detained for seven months. He had gone to Syria from Lebanon on a religious pilgrimage to deepen his Christian faith. His journey, which was inspired by his intense Bible reading, led to his arrest and imprisonment in the notorious Sednaya prison, where he was held by the Syrian regime. Timmerman’s detainment remained unknown until rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad’s regime, leading to chaotic prison releases, including his own.
Timmerman’s family was overjoyed when they received the news of his release, calling it a “Christmas miracle.” His sister, Pixie Rogers, and his mother, Stacey Collins Gardiner, expressed their relief and happiness, with Gardiner saying she cried happy tears after learning of his safety. Timmerman had been isolated during his imprisonment, though he was not abused, despite hearing other prisoners being tortured nearby. His pastor, Don Kelderhouse, called it a miracle that Timmerman was not harmed.
Following his release, U.S. officials confirmed that Timmerman was transferred to Jordan, where he received care from the State Department. He was later flown out by U.S. military helicopter after being handed over to American forces at a garrison near the Syria-Iraq-Jordan border. While in Syria, there was some confusion about his identity, with Timmerman being mistakenly identified as another missing American, Austin Tice.
Before his disappearance, Timmerman had traveled across Eastern Europe, including stops in the Czech Republic and Hungary. Law enforcement agencies in Missouri and Hungary had been tracking his movements during his absence. Timmerman’s family and community were relieved that he had been safely returned, marking the end of a long period of uncertainty for them.