At least 50 U.S. service members have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) following Iran’s missile strike on an Iraqi airbase as retaliation for the killing of Gen. Qassem Soleimani, according to the the latest figures from the Pentagon.
“As of today, 50 U.S. service members have been diagnosed with TBI,” Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Thomas Campbell said in the statement.
The number is up by 16 from last week, when initial estimates put the figure of those injured at 34.
Fifteen of the 16 newly-disclosed cases have been treated in Iraq and returned to duty, as have 31 of the service members diagnosed with TBI overall, the Pentagon said. Eighteen others have been transported to Germany for additional evaluation and treatment, one more than previously reported, according to the statement.
The Pentagon notes in its statement that the numbers remain subject to change. The department initially reported no deaths or injuries in the missile attack. Defense officials told CNN that about 200 people who were in the blast zone have since been screened for symptoms of TBI.
The updated figures come in the wake of President Trump’s comments downplaying the injuries, saying the troops had “headaches” but nothing “very serious.” That prompted the Veterans of Foreign Wars to demand an apology for what the group said was minimization of the threat of TBI.
“We ask that he and the White House join with us in our efforts to educate Americans of the dangers TBI has on these heroes as they protect our great nation in these trying times. Our warriors require our full support more than ever in this challenging environment,” VFW national commander William “Doc” Schmitz said in a statement last week.