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News | April 4, 2020

Coalition provides COVID-19 equipment in NE Syria

By CJTF-OIR Public Affairs

The Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR) provided approximately $1.2 million worth of supplies for COVID-19 prevention efforts and detention operations in Al-Hasakah and Al-Shaddadi, in northeastern Syria, March 27, 2020.


The medical equipment will help protect staff at hospitals in Hasakah and Shaddadi, as well as Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and asayish guards responsible for detention camps.


COVID-19 has created a global shortage of medical resources. This divestment aims to provide the SDF with tools to prevent further spread of the virus among vulnerable populations.


“As our partner forces improve stability to the region, the Coalition will continue to support their efforts,” said Col. Brian Henderson, deputy director of civil affairs for the anti-ISIS international military Coalition. “This lasting partnership extends beyond the scope of the pandemic and is critical to the SDF mission to maintain security and stability in northeastern Syria.”


Personal protective equipment, such as latex gloves and masks, as well as surgical kits, defibrillators and oximeters were provided to hospitals and detention facilities across the Hasakah and Shaddadi area. Additionally, detention facilities received protective equipment for guard forces including: masks, shields, and batons.


The SDF is fully responsible for day-to-day operations of numerous detention facilities in NE Syria, where they guard nearly 10,000 captured Daesh fighters. Protecting the health and safety of the detainees is essential in preventing violence or escape attempts. The Coalition provides training and equipment in support of our security partners for this critical mission to prevent potential reemergence of Daesh in the region.


“Our partners in Syria control more than two dozen ISIS detention camps and are fully responsible for their maintenance,” said Col. Myles B. Caggins III, Coalition military spokesman. “Under Section 1209 of the United States’ 2015 National Defense Authorization Act, the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund (CTEF) provides financial support to the SDF to conduct their counter-ISIS operations. In the context of COVID-19, the CTEF also authorizes the use of funds to procure personal protective equipment for our partners in Syria and their ISIS detainees. Every purchase must go through the appropriate request and review processes.”


This year, the U.S. Defense Department designated $200 million for support to SDF, specifically for the anti-ISIS mission.On March 27, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced $16.8 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance in response to the COVID-19 for Syria.
The March 27 divestment comes as a joint effort from the CJTF-OIR Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund, Civil Military Operations Center - Shaddadi, and Coordination & Military Ops Center - SDF.

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Photos:

Coalition Civil Affairs Divests Equipment To Further Stabilize NE Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces members take a look at new supplies during an equipment divestiture across Al-Hasakah and Al-Shaddadi prisons and hospitals in Syria, March 27th, 2020. The divestiture’s focus is to address the needs of northeast Syria’s infrastructure during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo has been modified for operational security purposes)


SDF Statement:


U.S. State Department Fact Sheet: The United States Is Leading the Humanitarian and Health Assistance Response to COVID-19: https://www.state.gov/the-united-states-is-leading-the-humanitarian-and-health-assistance-response-to-covid-19/

To see in Arabic: CJTF-OIR Press Release 20200403-02-Coalition provides COVID-19 equipment-Arabic

To see in Kumanci: CJTF-OIR PR 20200403-02 Coalition provides COVID items to SDF-Kumanci