The United States military has taken an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country.

WASHINGTON — The US military has evacuated out of Syria an American who went missing seven months ago in former President Bashar Assad’s renowned jail system and was one of thousands rescued this week by rebels, US officials said Friday. Travis Timmerman, 29, was taken to Jordan by a US military chopper, according to two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a current operation. It’s unknown where Timmerman will go next. He praised his rescuers for his release, but he has told American officials that he wants to stay in the region, according to another person familiar with the situation who was not authorized to speak publicly. Timmerman was detained after crossing into Syria while on a Christian pilgrimage.

Timmerman was captured in June after crossing into Syria on a Christian pilgrimage from a mountain near Zahle in eastern Lebanon. In an interview with The Associated Press earlier Friday, he claimed that he was not mistreated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention centre run by Syrian intelligence. Timmerman stated that in his prison cell, he had a mattress, a plastic drinking container, and two garbage containers. He stated the Friday prayer calls helped him keep count of the days. Timmerman said he was released Monday morning, along with a young Syrian guy and 70 female captives, some of whom had children with them, after rebels took control of Damascus and deposed Assad in a stunning revolution.

ABC News US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, according to officials. The United States military has taken an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. Associated Press reporters Lolita C. Bador and Aamer Madhani reported on December 13, 2024, at 7:57 PM. At 1:06, ABC News presents international headlines.Catch up on the latest headline-making stories from around the world. WASHINGTON — The US military has evacuated out of Syria an American who went missing seven months ago in former President Bashar Assad’s renowned jail system and was one of thousands rescued this week by rebels, US officials said Friday. Travis Timmerman, 29, was taken to Jordan by a US military chopper, according to two US sources who spoke on condition.