State Department: American freed in Syria

An American freelance photographer who went missing in 2012 after traveling to Syria was freed Friday by the Syrian government, the State Department said.

The State Department said it received assistance from Russia and the Czech Republic, which represents U.S. interests in Syria, in winning his release.

The State Department did not identify the person, citing privacy concerns, but the Associated Press and The Washington Post identified him as Kevin Patrick Dawes, 33, from San Diego. Dawes went missing in 2012 after crossing the border into Syria from Turkey, according to the FBI.

"We are appreciative of efforts on the part of the Russian government that it undertook on behalf of this U.S. citizen in Syria," State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

The Russian government, along with Iran, is a key backer of the regime of Bashar Assad. Toner did not specify what the Russians did.

The United States has been critical of Russia's military role in Syria, saying it is primarily aimed at helping Assad and not attacking the Islamic State.

Russia helped broker a cease-fire between Assad's regime and rebel forces and has shifted its air campaign toward the Islamic State, also known as ISIL or ISIS. Washington has moderated some of its criticism of Russian actions in Syria.

Its help in releasing Dawes may suggest Russia is carving out a more diplomatic role in the conflict.

Russia's foreign ministry said President Obama appealed to Russian President Vladimir Putin for assistance in searching for Americans in Syria.

The foreign ministry said in a statement that Dawes was being held "for illegal entry into the country and other offenses."

"In response to our appeal, the Syrian authorities found it possible to show mercy, and the release of an American on humanitarian grounds," the statement said. It said he was taken out of the country on a Russian military transport aircraft.

It is not clear what impact the release will have on other Americans who have gone missing in Syria.

"We continue to work through our Czech protecting power in Syria to get information on the welfare and whereabouts of Austin Tice and other U.S. citizens missing and detained in Syria," State Department spokesman John Kirby said.

A journalist, Tice disappeared in Syria in 2012 while covering the civil war.