CIA set up secret channel with Syria in attempt to free Tice

WASHINGTON — In the early days of the Trump administration, national security officials began exploring ways to free Austin Tice, an American journalist from Houston believed to be held by the Syrian government. His case has frustrated investigators and diplomats since he disappeared while on assignment nearly five years ago.

White House officials decided, because of the sensitivity of the situation, to set up a back channel. Given the deteriorated relations between the United States and Syria, options were limited. So in early February, Mike Pompeo, the CIA director, spoke with Ali Mamlouk, the head of Syria’s intelligence service, a man accused of human rights abuses and slapped with sanctions by the United States.

Though Pompeo’s discussion with Mamlouk prompted further communications that renewed hope that Tice would be freed, the operation fizzled after the Syrian government’s nerve gas attack in rebel-held northern Syria in April and the U.S. missile strike in response, said several former U.S. officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The Tice family declined to comment, as did the CIA and the FBI.

After the 2016 election, U.S. officials decided to brief Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, and Trump’s chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, about the efforts to bring Tice home. Bannon was dismissive of Tice, raising questions about why he had traveled to Syria in the first place, former officials said.

After Trump took office, the administration moved forward, resulting in Pompeo’s phone call with Mamlouk in which he raised the issue of Tice.

The momentum to free Tice came to a halt in April when the Syrian government unleashed the gas attack on its own civilians.