Sun Sep 15 02:47:34 UTC 2024: ## Kamala Harris Falsely Claims No US Troops in Combat Zones, Sparking Outrage
**WASHINGTON, D.C. -** Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, drew fire from active-duty military personnel after making a demonstrably false claim during last week’s debate.
During the debate, Harris asserted that “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.” This claim was met with immediate pushback from military members watching the debate, who were quick to point out the presence of thousands of US troops deployed in hostile areas.
Video footage shows military members watching the debate, with one soldier turning the camera on himself and others and asking, “So where the f*** are we, right now?” This video, along with others circulating online, has underscored the fact that thousands of US troops are currently deployed in combat zones, including Iraq, Syria, and the Middle East.
The Department of Defense reports that around 2,500 US troops are in Iraq and approximately 900 in Syria, engaged in fighting Islamic State militants. Additionally, a Reuters report from February estimates that there are roughly 30,000 US troops stationed across the Middle East, with thousands more deployed since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip.
This claim also disregards the sacrifices made by US troops who have been killed or injured during the Biden-Harris administration, including three Army Reserve soldiers who died in a drone attack in Jordan in January. Harris’ statement appears to downplay the ongoing risks faced by US military personnel, including those who have been injured in drone strikes in Syria and during missions tied to Iran.
Families of injured service members have also criticized Harris for her false statement, emphasizing the ongoing reality of war zones for US troops. Brad Illerbrunner, whose son was injured in Iraq, called Harris’ remarks “really [hitting] below the belt” and accused her of “trying to snow the public.”
The controversy surrounding Harris’ claim has sparked widespread criticism of the debate moderators for not fact-checking her statement. This incident has further fueled concerns about political bias in the media and highlighted the importance of accurate information, especially regarding sensitive issues such as military deployments.
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