The claim: Vice President Kamala Harris argued during a debate with former President Donald Trump on Tuesday that for the first time this century, there are currently no active-duty troops in any combat zones around the world.
Verdict: False. Active-duty U.S. military personnel currently serving in Iraq and Syria have come under frequent attack from Iranian-backed militias over the past year. Thousands of active-duty U.S. Navy personnel deployed to the Middle East have also faced drone and missile attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. Three U.S. soldiers were killed by Iranian-backed forces on the Syrian border earlier this year.
Former Illinois Rep. and Army veteran Peter Meyer (R-Mich.) posted on X: “Did Ms. Harris just say that for the first time in this century, the U.S. has no active duty troops in a combat zone?!”
“We have troops in Syria and Iraq who are under regular attack from Iranian-backed militias, including three soldiers killed in Jordan earlier this year!”
Biden-Harris Administration release In June, in accordance with his responsibilities under the War Powers Resolution, he sent a letter to Congress reporting where U.S. forces are engaged in combat operations around the world, including listing several countries where U.S. forces are taking part in counterterrorism operations.
It says U.S. troops are deployed to Syria and Iraq.
Small contingents of U.S. troops remain in strategic locations in Syria, conducting operations in coordination with local, vetted ground forces to address the continuing terrorist threat emanating from Syria. U.S. forces in Iraq continue to advise, assist, and support select elements of the Iraqi Security Forces, including the Iraqi Kurdish Security Forces.
…
As reported on December 27, 2023, I directed U.S. military forces to conduct separate attacks on three facilities in Iraq used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and IRGC-affiliated groups for training, logistical support, and other purposes on the night of December 25, 2023. As reported on January 25, 2024, I directed U.S. military forces to conduct separate attacks on Iraqi facilities used by IRGC-affiliated militia groups for training, logistical support, and other purposes on the night of January 23, 2024. As reported on February 4, 2024, I directed U.S. military forces to conduct separate attacks on Syrian and Iraqi facilities used by the IRGC and affiliated militia groups for headquarters and command and control, weapons storage, training, logistical support, and other purposes. These attacks were conducted in response to attacks by the IRGC and affiliated militia groups against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria that threatened the lives of U.S. personnel and coalition forces serving alongside U.S. forces. “This included an attack in northeastern Jordan by an IRGC-affiliated militia group that left three U.S. soldiers dead. I directed these separate military actions pursuant to my 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40) and the Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iraq (Public Law 107-243), consistent with my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and my responsibility to protect American people and advance U.S. national security and foreign policy interests at home and abroad.
It also said US forces were under attack by the Houthi rebels.
Since at least November 2023, Houthi militants based in Yemen have conducted a series of attacks against U.S. military ships and aircraft, and maritime merchant vessels operating in the Red Sea, Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks pose a threat to the safety of U.S. military and commercial vessels and their crews, regional political and economic stability, and navigational rights and freedoms. Houthi militants continue to pose a threat of attacks against U.S. forces and warships, and other maritime traffic in the region. As I reported on January 12, 2024, January 24, 2024, February 5, 2024, and February 26, 2024, as part of multinational operations, I directed U.S. military forces to conduct separate attacks against Yemeni targets facilitating Houthi militant attacks in the Red Sea region on January 11, 2024, January 22, 2024, February 3, 2024, and February 24, 2024. “I directed the strikes to protect U.S. personnel and assets, and to degrade and disrupt the ability of Houthi militants to launch future attacks against U.S. personnel and vessels operating in the Red Sea region that could further destabilize the region and threaten U.S. strategic interests. The strikes were conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.
The letter also noted that approximately 3,813 U.S. troops are deployed to Jordan to support operations to defeat ISIS to strengthen Jordan's security and promote regional stability.
It further said that about 75 U.S. military personnel were being deployed to Lebanon to strengthen the Lebanese government's counterterrorism capabilities and to support the Lebanese security forces' counterterrorism operations.
The letter also noted that there are U.S. troops engaged in counterterrorism operations across Africa.
In the East African region, it states:
U.S. forces continue to counter the terrorist threat posed by al-Shabaab, one of the most well-resourced affiliates of ISIS and al-Qaeda. Since our last periodic report, U.S. forces have conducted two strikes against high-value al-Shabaab targets and several airstrikes against al-Shabaab in Somalia, and have engaged al-Shabaab and defended partner forces in Somalia when our assistance was requested to protect them from attacks. U.S. forces continue to prepare to conduct airstrikes in Somalia against ISIS and al-Shabaab terrorists. U.S. military personnel conduct regular engagements in Somalia and train, advise, and assist Somali forces and regional forces, including forces from the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia, in connection with counterterrorism operations. U.S. military personnel have deployed to Kenya in support of counterterrorism operations in East Africa. U.S. military personnel continue to work with the Government of Djibouti, which has permitted the use of its territory for U.S. military bases. U.S. military personnel remain deployed to Djibouti to serve as a hub for counterterrorism and counterpiracy operations near the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and to provide emergency support for enhanced embassy security in East Africa as needed.
The letter also noted that U.S. forces are providing advise, assist, accompany and other support to counterterrorism efforts by African and European partners in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel regions.
“Currently, approximately 700 U.S. military personnel are deployed in Niger. However, the Department of Defense is in the process of withdrawing U.S. military personnel from Niger, and the withdrawal is expected to be completed in the coming months,” the statement said.
According to the letter, U.S. troops are also deployed to the Philippines to assist with counterterrorism operations by Philippine government forces.
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