In response to pro-Iran riots that threatened the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad, a detachment of 100 Marines was deployed and two Apache attack helicopters.
All U.S. personnel are secure and there are no plans to evacuate the embassy, the State Department told Military Times via email on Tuesday. The State Department added that the U.S. ambassador for Iraq, Matt Tueller, is returning to the embassy from previously scheduled personal travel.
VIDEO: AH-64 Apaches protect @USEmbBaghdad. “We have taken appropriate force protection actions to ensure the safety of American citizens…and to ensure our right of self-defense. We are sending additional forces to support our personnel at the Embassy.”~@EsperDoD pic.twitter.com/amABHBAOcL
— OIR Spokesman Col. Myles B. Caggins III (@OIRSpox) December 31, 2019
The defensive measures were requested by the U.S. State Department and arranged with the approval of the Iraqi security forces. The Marines are part of Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces Crisis Response — Central Command and came from Kuwait, and the helicopters were deployed from Taji, Iraq.
#Marines from the @SPMAGTF_CR_CC reinforce the US Embassy in Baghdad to ensure the safety of American citizens. @OIRSpox @USMARCENT @CENTCOM pic.twitter.com/bpdiK6GRFy
— SPMAGTF CR CC (@SPMAGTF_CR_CC) December 31, 2019
“The Department of Defense is working closely with the Department of State to ensure the security of our Embassy and personnel in Baghdad,” Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said in a Tuesday press release. “We have taken appropriate force protection actions to ensure the safety of American citizens, military personnel and diplomats in country, and to ensure our right of self-defense.”
Devil dogs stepping off from Kuwait to support the Baghdad embassy crisis. pic.twitter.com/xBOypkM9Ff
— Observation Post (@MilitaryTimesOP) December 31, 2019
“As in all countries, we rely on host nation forces to assist in the protection of our personnel in country, and we call on the Government of Iraq to fulfill its international responsibilities to do so,” Esper said. The State Department said that the protesters entered the embassy compound but there was no “breach.”
#Marines from the @SPMAGTF_CR_CC reinforce the US Embassy in Baghdad to ensure the safety of American citizens. @OIRSpox @USMARCENT @CENTCOM pic.twitter.com/bpdiK6GRFy
— SPMAGTF CR CC (@SPMAGTF_CR_CC) December 31, 2019
Very proud of President @realDonaldTrump acting decisively in the face of threats to our embassy in Baghdad.
He has put the world on notice – there will be no Benghazis on his watch.
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— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 31, 2019
