Report Says Journalist With North Andover Ties May Be Held by Syrian Government

The journalist who has been missing in Syria since last Thanksgiving might actually be held by the Syrian government in a detention center, according to a new report by Global Post.

"We have obtained multiple independent reports from very credible confidential sources who have both indirect and direct access that confirm our assessment that Jim is now being held by the Syrian government in a prison or detention facility in the Damascus area. We further believe that this facility is under the control of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence service. Based on what we have learned, it is likely Jim is being held with one or more Western journalists, including most likely at least one other American," GlobalPost CEO and President Philip Balboni said during a speech marking World Press Freedom Day.

Read the complete article here.

Foley's family, including his brother Michael Foley of North Andover, has set up a Web site dedicated to keeping people aware and updated about James' situation.

Syria has been a hotbed of violence since conflict between the Syrian regime and rebels escalated over the past two years. And in the past several months, kidnappings in that country have risen dramatically. In December, NBC New correspondent Richard Engel and his crew were captured and later freed after a shootout at a checkpoint.

Foley is believed to have been kidnapped in Idlib Province, which has been a region of heavy fighting between rebels and the government, according to Salon.

In recent months, Syria was designated one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists by the Committee to Protect Journalists.