Following missile attacks launched at US airspaces in Iraq, the Pentagon has confirmed that no fewer than thirty-four US soldiers have been diagnosed with concussion or traumatic brain injury.
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that the US Department of Defense has confirmed that more than a dozen of ballistic missiles were fired by Iran which hit no fewer than two air bases housing US troops in Iraq.
Speaking on the development, the Spokesperson of the Pentagon, Jonathan Hoffman disclosed on Friday that eight service members who had been previously transported to Germany had been moved to the United States.
Recall that President Donald Trump had earlier disclosed that there was no casualty in the Iranian missile attacks which was a reprisal for the US drone that murdered the Iranian general, Qaseem Soleimani.
When reports of brian injury surfaced and Trump waz questioned, he downplayed their severity, saying that service personnels had headaches and a couple of other things. But I would say, and I can report, it is not very serious.”
Reacting to the development, Hoffman confirmed the injuries on Friday and further added that: “This is a snapshot in time, what he wanted to make sure is that you’re provided with the most accurate numbers.”
Michael Kaplen, chair of the New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council and past president of the Brain Injury Association of New York State said that he was “shocked at the ignorant statement” made by Trump.
“To equate traumatic brain injuries as just a headache is insulting and disrespectful to the thousands of military service members suffering from the signature wound of the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict,” he said.
He added that the condition, also known as TBI, is a “life-altering” injury.
“It’s physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral consequences affect every aspect of an individual’s life,” he said. “A brain injury is only ‘mild’ if it is someone else’s brain. There is nothing “mild” about a mild brain injury.”
