Deep Dive
Why did Ephraim Matos decide to leave the Navy SEALs and go to Iraq as a civilian?
Ephraim was deeply affected by an incident in Afghanistan where he encountered two young girls who were likely suicide bombers. This experience made him feel he could do more to help innocent civilians trapped in conflict zones, leading him to join a humanitarian group in Iraq after his Navy contract ended.
What was the most significant change in Ephraim's mission in Iraq?
Initially focused on humanitarian aid, Ephraim's mission shifted to direct combat when the Iraqi army decided to retake Mosul from ISIS. This transition placed him on the frontlines, engaging in battles and rescuing civilians.
How did Ephraim and his team attempt to rescue civilians during the battle for Mosul?
Ephraim and his team exposed themselves to enemy fire to draw attention away from fleeing civilians. They also conducted a risky rescue mission, using a tank as a shield to retrieve a young girl and two wounded men from a pile of dead bodies under heavy ISIS fire.
What was the most harrowing experience Ephraim faced during his time in Mosul?
Ephraim witnessed the brutal massacre of over 200 civilians by ISIS as they tried to flee the city. He also participated in a rescue mission where he was shot in the leg and nearly killed while saving a young girl named Demoa.
What happened to the young girl, Demoa, after Ephraim rescued her?
Demoa was reunited with her living family members and is alive and well today. Ephraim never spoke to her directly due to her shock and fear, but he was informed by a doctor that she was four years old and would recover.
How did Ephraim's rescue mission in Mosul become public?
The rescue mission was filmed by a documentarian who was recording war crimes by ISIS. The footage went viral, leading major news outlets to contact Ephraim and the other volunteers for interviews.
What is Stronghold Rescue and Relief, and what is its mission?
Stronghold Rescue and Relief is a volunteer organization founded by Ephraim Matos. Its mission is to protect and care for families in conflict zones, with the motto: 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.'
- Ephraim Matos, a Navy SEAL, failed an underwater test.
- A defining moment with a classmate taught him a valuable lesson about self-pity.
- A traumatic experience in Afghanistan involving child suicide bombers changed his perspective.
- He left the Navy and volunteered to aid civilians in Iraq, specifically targeting the ISIS conflict zone.
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