Hundreds of Iranian-backed activists stormed the US Embassy in Baghdad on Tuesday.
Iraqi security forces failed to stop the raid on the US Embassy.
The Iraqi protesters were carrying Hezbollah flags.
The US ambassador and personnel were evacuated.
AH-64 Apaches were deployed to protect the US Embassy in Baghdad.
US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said, “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.”
The Pentagon also announced that additional Marines will be sent in to protect the embassy.
Secretary Esper did not announce the exact amount of additional troops, but Business Insider reported that “around 100” more Marines will be sent to provide additional support and security.
WATCH:
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 Spokesperson (@OIRSpox) December 31, 2019
