Update: Marines, Ospreys, Soldiers in Baghdad In response to security alert for the US Embassy

Marines in Baghdad

.@USArmy Soldiers provide armed overwatch at the U.S. Embassy Compound in Baghdad, Iraq, Jan. 1, 2020.

(@DeptofDefense photos by @BritishArmy Lt. Col. Adrian Weale)@StateDept pic.twitter.com/7roGEugoW1

— Inherent Resolve (@CJTFOIR) January 1, 2020

Images from the US Embassy in Baghdad depict MV-22 Ospreys delivering U.S. Marines to the US Embassy in Baghdad to reinforce security and ensure the safety of American citizens. @CENTCOM @OIRSpox @USMARCENT pic.twitter.com/9nUbWmBCuV

— SPMAGTF CR CC (@SPMAGTF_CR_CC) December 31, 2019

Send the Marines@SPMAGTF_CR_CC deploys from Kuwait to Iraq to bolster security at the US Embassy and ensure the safety of American citizens there, Dec. 31. @StateDept pic.twitter.com/NQg4ZAYiGi

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) December 31, 2019

Statement by Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper:

“The Department of Defense is working closely with the Department of State to ensure the security of our Embassy and personnel in Baghdad. 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. We are sending additional forces to support our personnel at the Embassy. 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. The United States continues to support the Iraqi people and a free, sovereign, and prosperous Iraq.”

Since arriving at the US Embassy in Baghdad, @SPMAGTF_CR_CC has bolstered security to keep American citizens safe, maintaining a ready posture to respond. pic.twitter.com/FBStxWdxQE

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 1, 2020

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