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100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack

15:40, Thursday, 02 January, 2020
100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack

A detachment of 100 Marines is deploying to Iraq to reinforce security at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad after Iraqi protesters supportive of an Iran-backed Shiite militia attempted to storm the compound, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday.

All U.S. personnel are secure and there are no plans to evacuate the embassy, the State Department told Military Times in a Tuesday email.

The State Department added that the U.S. ambassador for Iraq, Matt Tueller, is returning to the embassy from previously scheduled personal travel.

The Marines were requested by the U.S. State Department and their deployment was approved by Iraqi Security Forces, Central Command spokesman Mike Lawhorn told Military Times by phone Tuesday. Two Apache attack helicopters are providing over watch.

100 U.S. Marines, two Apache helicopters reinforcing embassy in Baghdad after attack
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