American released from Syria prison after rebel takeover calls it a 'blessing'

An American who disappeared seven months ago into former Syrian President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system said early Friday he was released by the “liberators” who arrived in Damascus a day after the longtime ruler fled the capital. Travis Timmerman, 29, said he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage Travis Timmerman called his release a “blessing” when he spoke to The Associated Press from a hotel room in Damascus, where he arrived late Thursday. “We affirm our readiness to cooperate directly with the U.S. administration to complete the search for American citizens disappeared by the former Assad regime,” the group said, adding that a search was underway for Austin Tice, an American journalist who went missing in Syria 12 years ago. “I just want my baby come home.” The family reported him missing, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol issued a bulletin saying “Pete Timmerman" had gone missing in Hungary in early June.