Kamala Harris faces backlash after claiming 'no soldiers in combat zones'; US troops respond

New Delhi: Vice President Kamala Harris faced significant backlash following her comments during a recent presidential debate with Donald Trump. In an attempt to defend the Biden administration’s foreign policy, Harris claimed that "no US military members are currently deployed in active combat zones." However, this statement sparked immediate controversy, as it directly contradicted reports of ongoing US military engagements in conflict zones.

US soldiers respond to Harris' claim

A viral video surfaced shortly after the debate, showing U.S. soldiers mocking Harris' remarks. The video, shared by Lori Mills on X (formerly Twitter), featured a group of military personnel reacting to Harris' statement, with one soldier sarcastically asking, "Then, where the f**k are we right now?" Their laughter echoed the frustration felt by many within the military community. The exact location of the soldiers in the video remains unconfirmed, but they appeared to be stationed in a warzone.

Watch the video here:

Deployed Military members react to Kamala Harris lying about deployments during the debate. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/sv1vEeAMem

— Lori Mills (@LoriMills4CA42) September 13, 2024

Active combat zones 

Harris’ assertion that no US troops are in combat zones was swiftly refuted by experts and military families. According to the Department of Defense, US forces are still actively engaged in conflict areas such as Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya. These ongoing operations contradict Harris' claim, highlighting the risks US soldiers continue to face in these regions.

Families of allen soldiers outraged

Families of soldiers who were injured or killed in combat expressed outrage over Harris' remarks. Brad Illerbrunner, whose son Garett was injured in Iraq, criticized Harris, stating that her words were a "slap in the face" to those who have served in active warzones. He emphasized that U.S. troops are still in harm's way, with many soldiers having been injured or killed in recent months.

Military analysts weigh in

Michael DiMino, a fellow at Defense Priorities, further highlighted the issue, stating that Harris’ comment failed a "basic smell test." He explained that US troops stationed in regions like Jordan, where they face daily attacks, are very much in combat zones. DiMino accused Harris of attempting to downplay US military involvement, ignoring the ongoing dangers faced by American soldiers abroad.