The United States has been involved in a war in Yemen for over four years now, yet most Americans are unaware of this fact. This is because the U.S. government has been keeping the number of American casualties in this war a secret. This is not normal and it is a cause for concern.
The war in Yemen began in 2015 when a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the U.S. launched a military campaign against the Houthi rebels. The conflict has resulted in a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Yemenis facing famine and disease. The U.S. has been providing logistical and intelligence support to the Saudi-led coalition, making it a party to this war.
Despite this involvement, the U.S. government has not been transparent about the number of American casualties in Yemen. This is in stark contrast to previous wars, where the government regularly released casualty figures. In fact, the U.S. military has not released any official numbers since 2016, when it reported one death and two injuries.
This lack of transparency is concerning for several reasons. Firstly, it goes against the principles of democracy and accountability. The American people have a right to know the true cost of their country’s involvement in this war. By keeping the numbers secret, the government is denying them this right.
Secondly, it raises questions about the government’s motives for hiding the numbers. Is it trying to downplay the severity of the conflict? Is it trying to avoid public backlash? Whatever the reason may be, it is clear that the government is not being honest with its citizens.
Moreover, this secrecy also has a negative impact on the families of the soldiers who have been deployed to Yemen. They are left in the dark about the true extent of the danger their loved ones are facing. This lack of information can cause unnecessary stress and anxiety for these families.
The Trump administration’s decision to keep the numbers secret is particularly concerning. President Trump has repeatedly touted his administration’s commitment to transparency, yet this move goes against that promise. It also sets a dangerous precedent for future conflicts, where the government may choose to hide the true cost of war from its citizens.
The U.S. government’s lack of transparency in this matter is not only concerning, but it is also unacceptable. The American people deserve to know the truth about their country’s involvement in Yemen. It is their right to be informed about the sacrifices being made in their name.
Furthermore, this secrecy also undermines the sacrifices of the soldiers who have lost their lives or been injured in Yemen. By not acknowledging their sacrifices, the government is dishonoring their service and disregarding their families’ grief.
It is also worth noting that the U.S. is not the only country involved in this war. Other countries, such as the United Kingdom and France, have also been providing support to the Saudi-led coalition. However, these countries have been more transparent about their casualties, with the UK regularly releasing numbers and France acknowledging the deaths of its soldiers.
The U.S. government’s decision to keep the numbers secret is not only damaging to its own citizens, but it also damages its reputation on the global stage. It sends a message that the U.S. is not willing to be held accountable for its actions and that it does not value transparency and honesty.
In conclusion, the U.S. government’s decision to keep American casualty numbers for the war in Yemen a secret is not normal. It goes against the principles of democracy and accountability and raises concerns about the government’s motives. The American people deserve to know the true cost of their country’s involvement in this conflict, and it is the government’s responsibility to provide them with this information. It is time for the Trump administration to come clean and be transparent about the casualties of war in Yemen.
