U.S. Partner Force Distributes Aid

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kyle Alvarez | Members of the Maghaweir al-Thowra (MaT) hand water tablets to children from Khowamat, Syria Aug. 26, 2019. Khowamat is within the 55 km Deconfliction Zone in Syria. The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve is focused on developing sustainable military capability and capacity in its partners in the Combined Joint Operating Area. CJTFOIR is working by, with and through local partner forces and continues to train, advise, assist and equip them. (Photo provided by MaT soldier)  

SOUTHWEST ASIA, UNITED STATES

10.18.2019

Story by Sgt. Kyle Alvarez 

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve   

Water Tablets Reach Village within DCZ

The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve backed militia group Maghaweir al-Thowra (MaT) distributes water tablets to the village of Khowamat within the 55 km Deconfliction Zone in Syria Aug. 26, 2019.

The distribution of the water tablets is a continual effort for the MaT in addition to their primary role of keeping the DCZ clear of Daesh.
“The people that live here escaped the bad treatment from Daesh [and] they are family,” said Col. Mohanned Talah, MaT commander. “We are helping them live a better life here.”

The village has two sources of water, a local well and water reservoir. The MaT provided a two-month supply of water tablets specifically for the reservoir in order to keep the water clean.
“We know that all the people here are drinking the water from the reservoirs and what’s left from the rain water on the ground,” said Ahmed Khader al-Mahea, the MaT media cell sub-commander.
Making clean drinking water available shows the MaT can provide more than security. “Distributing these tablets is very important,” said al-Mahea.

The MaT continues to thrive under the support of the Coalition. “The people here have a lot of trust in us and believe that we are the ones that protect them,” said al-Mahea. “We take that seriously.”
The main mission for the MaT is “to defeat Daesh,” said the U.S. Special Forces Commander in the region. “With respect to the local populace, it is nice the MaT can provide that to them.”

The MaT efforts in support of the local community “shows their legitimacy,” said the SOF commander. “They protect them from Daesh and provide what they can,” said Army Maj. Johnny Walker, Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman.
CJTF-OIR partners with MaT to defeat Daesh in the region.

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• Date Taken: 10.18.2019
• Date Posted: 10.18.2019 07:01
• Story ID: 347968
• Location: SOUTHWEST ASIA, US