Iran's retaliatory attack caused 34 traumatic brain injuries to US troops, Department of Defense says

The number of soldiers injured during attacks against the U.S. in Iraq this month has increased.Officials initially reported 11 U.S. troops were injured, but Department of Defense spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said Friday that 34 troops suffered traumatic brain injuries, a term he used to describe concussions and related health effects.Iranian missile strikes on Jan. 8 came in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top general.Last week, 11 U.S. service members were flown from Iraq to U.S. medical facilities in Germany and Kuwait for further evaluation of concussion-like symptoms. In addition, defense officials previously said that about 10 more service members were flown to Germany in recent days. Most were being treated for symptoms related to possible traumatic brain injuries. Members are receiving treatment in Germany, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and at home bases; several diagnosed in Iraq have returned to duty, Hoffman said.He said officials were able to update figures after soldiers were evacuated for further treatment.Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has been an increasing cause of concern in the military since the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan began, with the Department of Defense reporting more than 375,000 incidents between 2000 and 2018, according to a National Academy of Sciences report released last year.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the effects of a TBI can vary significantly depending on the severity — ranging from short-term symptoms to lifelong debilitating impacts on cognitive and motor function and behavior, including significant changes in thinking and behavior, depression, anxiety and aggression.In 2014 alone, TBIs resulted in approximately 288,000 hospitalizations and were related to nearly 57,000 deaths.

The number of soldiers injured during attacks against the U.S. in Iraq this month has increased.

Officials initially reported 11 U.S. troops were injured, but Department of Defense spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said Friday that 34 troops suffered traumatic brain injuries, a term he used to describe concussions and related health effects.


Iranian missile strikes on Jan. 8 came in retaliation for a U.S. drone strike that killed Qassem Soleimani, Iran's top general.

Last week, 11 U.S. service members were flown from Iraq to U.S. medical facilities in Germany and Kuwait for further evaluation of concussion-like symptoms. In addition, defense officials previously said that about 10 more service members were flown to Germany in recent days. Most were being treated for symptoms related to possible traumatic brain injuries.

Members are receiving treatment in Germany, at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and at home bases; several diagnosed in Iraq have returned to duty, Hoffman said.

He said officials were able to update figures after soldiers were evacuated for further treatment.

Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, has been an increasing cause of concern in the military since the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan began, with the Department of Defense reporting more than 375,000 incidents between 2000 and 2018, according to a National Academy of Sciences report released last year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the effects of a TBI can vary significantly depending on the severity — ranging from short-term symptoms to lifelong debilitating impacts on cognitive and motor function and behavior, including significant changes in thinking and behavior, depression, anxiety and aggression.

In 2014 alone, TBIs resulted in approximately 288,000 hospitalizations and were related to nearly 57,000 deaths.