This Week at War: A Temporary Ceasefire in Afghanistan
The Stream's weekly look at the sacrifices of U.S. troops and military families around the globe.
Afghanistan
American troops in Afghanistan will honor a temporary ceasefire between the Afghan government and the Taliban. The ceasefire is set to begin on or around June 12.
“We will adhere to the wishes of Afghanistan for the country to enjoy a peaceful end to the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, and support the search for an end to the conflict,” said the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Nicholson, as quoted by the Military Times.
While some of the estimated 14,000 U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan will presumably receive a well-deserved break from fighting, it’s important to note that “U.S. counterterrorism operations in Afghanistan against (ISIS) or other terror groups” will continue. Therefore, we must continue praying for each and every American service member deployed to the war zone, as well as their worried families back home.
Syria and Iraq
In Syria, an aggressive anti-ISIS military campaign called “Operation Roundup” is entering its second month.
Speaking from Iraq this week, U.S. Army Col. Thomas Veale said airstrikes against terrorists in Syria increased by a whopping 304 percent in May.
“We and our partners have pounded ISIS remnants from the ground and air in relentless pursuit of their leaders and fighters,” Col. Veale said. A senior ISIS courier, Amed al-Hamdouni, was among those killed.
The colonel said Iraqi troops are also participating in Operation Roundup.
“Iraqi border guard forces and the Iraqi army have covered the western border as our partners’ ground defenses attack ISIS remnants in Syria,” Veale said.
About 2,000 U.S. troops are stationed in Syria, while about twice as many are thought to be in Iraq. Please pray for these warriors and their families.
Coming Home
A stirring reunion between returning U.S. Navy sailors and their loved ones took place this week at Pearl Harbor.
A U.S. Navy sailor hugs his daughter during a homecoming ceremony for the guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on June 4, 2018.
The above photo, taken by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class Holly Herline, perfectly demonstrates the roller coaster of emotions experienced by military families dealing with a deployment.
We are so grateful to this family, and to God, for protecting our great country. Thank you for your service and welcome home!
Tom Sileo is a contributing senior editor of The Stream. He is co-author of three books about military heroes: 8 Seconds of Courage, Brothers Forever and Fire in My Eyes. Follow Tom on Twitter @TSileo.
