Family members of US troops injured in the line of duty have expressed their outrage over a statement made by Vice President Kamala Harris, which they argue contradicts the reality faced by American soldiers serving in active combat zones. Harris, during a recent debate, claimed that no US military members are currently in combat zones, despite official records indicating otherwise.

According to retired Army Col. and military analyst Jonathan Sweet, there are approximately 50,000 US service members deployed across the Middle East and Africa who are receiving monthly payments for being in areas classified as "hostile fire" or "imminent danger." These compensations, which can reach up to $225, are provided to troops deployed in regions where they are at high risk of enemy attacks.

However, Harris's statement seemed to downplay the dangers faced by American troops. During the ABC debate, she declared, "As of today, 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 has been met with strong criticism from families whose loved ones are serving in active combat zones. Chief Warrant Officer Garrett Illerbrunner, a member of the elite 82nd Airborne Division, was critically injured on Christmas Day in Iraq when a drone launched by Kataib Hezbollah struck the base where he was stationed. Illerbrunner's father expressed his anger, stating that Harris' claims ignore the fact that troops are indeed getting hurt.

A month after Illerbrunner's incident, three National Guard members were killed and 34 others were injured in a drone strike launched by Iran-backed militants at a US base in Jordan. In another incident in Western Iraq, seven US soldiers were injured during a joint raid with Iraqi forces that resulted in the death of 15 ISIS terrorists.

The military community has been deeply offended by Harris's assertion, with many stating that it fails a basic "smell test." Michael DiMino, a fellow at the Defense Priorities think tank, highlighted the discrepancy between Harris's claims and the reality faced by soldiers on a daily basis. He emphasized that troops serving in active combat zones deserve recognition and respect for the risks they take.

The Harris-Biden administration's own IRS designates Iraq and nearly two dozen other areas as "combat zones," allowing soldiers deployed there to receive tax exemptions. This further supports the argument that these regions are considered active combat zones by the government itself.

A spokesperson for Harris's campaign reiterated the vice president's claim that the nation is not at war, but acknowledged that US troops stationed worldwide are still taking risks that should be honored. However, some families argue that the threat of combat and violence is ever-present, as highlighted by an incident in Syria where a National Guardsman's base was hit by a drone strike.

The debate over whether or not US troops are in active combat zones continues, with families demanding recognition for the sacrifices their loved ones are making. As the debate unfolds, it becomes evident that Harris's claim has triggered a wave of anger within the military community, challenging the administration's narrative of peace in the world.