Afghanistan

It was another violent week at war in Afghanistan after an attack last Thursday that targeted the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, who escaped unharmed, but wounded another American general, Jeffrey Smiley. The Afghan city of Kandahar’s police and intelligence chiefs were killed in a mass shooting that’s being described as yet another “insider attack.”

The latest report on Gen. Smiley’s condition by NPR said he “is being treated at a military hospital in Afghanistan.” We are praying for his full recovery.

More violence gripped the war-torn country as Afghan citizens courageously risked their lives to vote in last weekend’s parliamentary elections.

https://twitter.com/gregmortenson/status/1053689506866507777

On Monday, another insider attack, this time just south of Afghanistan’s third-largest city, Herat, took the life of a Czech soldier and wounded two more. Reuters reports that the Taliban has taken responsibility for the Czech service member’s murder.

Brave men and women in uniform of all nationalities are facing grave danger in Afghanistan as the war’s 18th year unfolds. On the homefront, we must continue praying for our deployed service members, helping their families, donating to military charities and reminding fellow Americans — including our nation’s politicians and journalists – that our military community is still at war.

Syria and Iraq

ISIS is still using mosques to plan and execute terrorist attacks against coalition troops and innocent civilians, according to U.S. service members on the ground in Syria. A Monday coalition strike targeted several buildings in the Syrian town of As Susah, including a mosque that several terrorists were “actively firing” from, the Pentagon said.

“As the second coalition strike on an active Daesh fighting position originating from a mosque in less than a week, (ISIS) demonstrates desperation and the willingness to misuse protected structures to launch military attacks against (Syrian Democratic Forces) and coalition forces.”

Several of the ISIS fighters shooting from the Muslim holy site were killed in the precision strike. Thank you to the U.S. military heroes who brought these terrorist cowards to justice.

American troops are keeping pressure on ISIS in Iraq as well. According to the Pentagon’s latest strike report, an October 18 assault took out three tunnels and a terrorist fighting position near Tuz Khurmatu.

No matter who’s paying attention, the men and women of our military continue their brilliant, courageous efforts to rid the world of ISIS and its evil ideology.

Coming Home

After seven months overseas, this United States Marine got the best possible homecoming present: huge hugs from his two daughters.

A U.S. Marine is greeted by his daughters during a homecoming at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina on October 20, 2018.

Welcome home, hero!

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.