As you begin your day today, keep American troops around the world — and especially in the Middle East in your thoughts and prayers.
Tensions between the United States and Iran have been boiling since top Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani was killed last week by a U.S. drone strike. Iran answered by threatening “harsh revenge.”
In a statement from Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Jonathan Hoffman, a missile attack was launched Tuesday against U.S. military and coalition forces in Iraq, clearly Iran and targeted at least two Iraqi military bases hosting U.S. military and coalition personnel at Al-Assad and Irbil.
Initial battle damage assessments are ongoing, with casualty reports cloudy, and the Department of Defense has taken all appropriate measures to safeguard American personnel and partners.
The U.S. has about 50,000 troops in the Middle East, including 5,000 in Iraq, with 4,500 more on their way into the region, putting assets in the region in danger in what’s being called in political circles a “Cycle of Escalation”.
Regardless of political feelings on this, say a prayer of protection and another of gratitude for the blanket of freedom we all enjoy because of those who selflessly serve in the armed services of the United States of America.
