US intelligence indicates that American who disappeared in Syria in 2017 has passed away, daughter claims she was informed – KXAN Austin

The heartbreaking news of the presumed death of American citizen Majd Kamalmaz, who disappeared seven years ago while traveling in Syria, has left his family devastated. His daughter, Maryam Kamalmaz, revealed that U.S. officials presented her with specific and highly credible intelligence about her father’s death during a recent meeting in Washington.

According to Maryam, the officials expressed a high level of confidence in the intelligence, rating it at a “high nine” on a scale of one to ten. This confirmation has shattered the hopes of the family, who had been holding out for his safe return despite previous indications of his passing in 2017 due to heart failure.

The news comes as a blow to the ongoing efforts to recover Americans who have disappeared in Syria, including journalist Austin Tice, who went missing in 2012. Despite previous attempts by senior officials to negotiate the release of these individuals, the Syrian government has not provided any proof-of-life information and has made unreasonable demands.

The confirmation of Majd Kamalmaz’s death has brought a sense of finality to his family, who had been clinging to hope for his return. The details of the intelligence presented to Maryam have not been disclosed, but the news has underscored the challenges faced by families of Americans held captive abroad.

As the Kamalmaz family comes to terms with this tragic news, the efforts to bring home other missing Americans in Syria continue. The presumed death of Majd Kamalmaz serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who travel to conflict zones and the anguish experienced by their loved ones left behind.