Vets' families fuming after VP Harris made 'no American troops in war zone' claim

As many as 50,000 U.S. servicemembers currently serve in the Middle East and Africa and receive hazard pay because of the risk of attacks

Published: September 15, 2024 12:14pm

Family members of U.S. servicemembers injured in the line of duty criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for claiming that no U.S. servicemembers are serving in war zones. Harris made the claim during Tuesday's presidential debate.

Up to 50,000 U.S. servicemembers currently serve in the Middle East and Africa in locations where they receive "hostile fire" or "imminent danger pay" monthly, the New York Post reported.

The claim gave the appearance the Harris-Biden administration have overseen a peaceful period and that all U.S. servicemembers were safe.

"As of today there is not one member of the United States military who is in active duty in a combat zone, in any war zone around the world, for the first time this century," Harris said during the debate.

Earlier this year, three U.S. soldiers were killed in Jordan and 40 others were injured following an attack at a base near the Syrian border. They were there to support Operation Inherent Resolve, intended to ensure the defeat of ISIS, according to the Defense Department

And that same month, at least four American service members suffered traumatic brain injuries from an attack in Iraq, according to the Pentagon

Former President Donald Trump earlier said that the U.S. was "playing with World War III" by permitting Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Trump said that his administration kept the nation's enemies at bay.

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