US military veterans urge Trump administration to abide by Iraq withdrawal agreement
US military veterans urge Trump administration to abide by Iraq withdrawal agreement
11-13-2024
Information/Translation…
A report by the American newspaper Responsible Statecraft revealed on Wednesday that a group of US Army veterans spoke about their bitter experiences in Iraq, calling on the next Trump administration to adhere to the agreement to withdraw US forces from Iraq and not to evade it.
“I feel like my first mission in 2003 is a distant memory,” said Ian Robinson of the U.S. Air Force. “But when I close my eyes, I can clearly imagine the sand swirling along the endless road stretching to the horizon. At times, I can almost feel the searing heat on my skin. Iraq is a place where we never really belonged, and perhaps the most promising path to future stability lies in our departure, especially after all the time, money and lives that have been wasted there.”
“As a veteran of the 2004 Iraq War, I have seen the toll that war takes on combatants, families, and innocent civilians: broken lives, deep moral wounds, and genetic conditions that affect generations,” said Laura Hartman. “As a former psychiatric nurse with the Veterans Administration, I have seen the truth of war unfold through the pain of my patients. Suicide prevention and mental health treatment are shared responsibilities. After decades of lies, bloodshed, and betrayal, I support a complete withdrawal from Iraq.”
“As a Marine, Iraq is a bitter memory for me,” Adam Janke continued. “I was injured and lost two friends from my platoon. Many of us, including myself, now feel that our sacrifices were worthless. The loss of lives and resources was a waste of time. Many of us suffer from lifelong problems with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other mission-related health conditions. It makes us wonder, ‘Why did we sacrifice in Iraq?’”
“Today, 2,500 American service members serve in Iraq, facing constant threats from drones, mortars, and rockets, and no one has convincingly explained why they are there,” said Jessica Vargas, a U.S. Marine. “Another American killed in Iraq would be another life lost and another round of grief and pain for comrades and families. The Trump administration should complete the withdrawal of U.S. forces in 2025 as agreed to by the Iraqi and U.S. governments earlier this year.”
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