Trump authorized Immediate deployment of an infantry battalion to the Middle East following attacks on U.S Embassy in Baghdad

Profile picture

United States President Donald Trump has authorised the immediate deployment of an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force (IRF) to the Middle East following the attacks by the violent protests in Baghdad at the U.S. Embassy.

Iraqi Protesters matched against the U.S. following the airstrikes carried out by the U.S. Forces in the region against the Iranian backed militias in Iraq and Syria which killed at least 25 and wounded at least 55 others.

Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper in  statement on his twitter handle confirmed that at the directives of  President Trump there will be deployment of an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force (IRF) of the @82ndABNDiv to the @CENTCOM area of operations in response to recent events in Iraq.

READ: “Death To America“: Several Thousand Iraqis Protest Outside US Embassy Over Strikes

According to him, Approximately 750 Soldiers will deploy to the region immediately & additional forces from the IRF are prepared to deploy over the next several days.

"This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today."

"The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world."

@EsperDoD At the direction of the Commander in Chief  @POTUS, I have authorized the deployment of an infantry battalion from the Immediate Response Force (IRF) of the @82ndABNDiv to the @CENTCOM area of operations in response to recent events in Iraq.

Approximately 750 #Soldiers will deploy to the region immediately & additional forces from the IRF are prepared to deploy over the next several days. This deployment is an appropriate and precautionary action taken in response to increased threat levels against U.S. personnel and facilities, such as we witnessed in Baghdad today. The United States will protect our people and interests anywhere they are found around the world.

Tuesday, thousand of Iraqi protesters matched inIraqi capital Baghdad and in front of US embassy, burning US flags outside gates according to an AFP report. 

 The angry protesters attacked the US Embassy in a violent response to US air strikes that killed more than two dozen paramilitary fighters at the weekend. 

They marched through checkpoints that usually restrict access to Baghdad’s high-security Green Zone, chanting “Death to America,“ burning US flags and holding posters calling for the embassy to be shut down.

Esper said the Department of Defense is working closely with the State Department 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."

READ: Iraq To Summon US Ambassador After Deadly Strikes As Iraqis Besiege The America Embassy In Baghdad

Adding that U.S relied on host nation forces to assist in the protection of personnel in the foreign country, & we call on the Gov't of Iraq to fulfill its international responsibilities to do so. 

The US continues to support the Iraqi people & a free, sovereign, & prosperous Iraq. Esper said.

The Iraq’s government denounced the U.S. strikes and warned they could affect ties with Washington.

Iran, Russia and Syria voiced an opposing concerned against the U.S  actions in the middle east.

Russia's foreign ministry on Monday described the "exchange of strikes" between Hezbollah and US forces in Iraq as "unacceptable", and called for restraint from both sides.

"We consider such actions unacceptable and counterproductive. We call upon all parties to refrain from further actions that could sharply destabilise the military-political situation in Iraq, Syria, and the neighbouring countries," a ministry statement said.

Iran, condemned the U.S. raids as "terrorism". "This claim without any evidence cannot justify bombing and killing people in violation of international law," said Iranian government spokesman Ali Rabiei.

"With these attacks, America has shown its firm support for terrorism and its neglect for the independence and sovereignty of countries and it must accept consequences for its illegal act," Mousavi said in a statement.

America troops and allies in the middle east must prepared for retaliations as Kataib Hezbollah says battle with US just 'open'

"Our battle with America and its mercenaries is now open to all possibilities," the targeted group said in a statement. We have no alternative today other than confrontation and there is nothing that will prevent us from responding to this crime."

Another Iraqi group, Popular Mobilization Forces threatens 'tough response' on US forces. A Senior PMF commander Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, also known as Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, vowed on Sunday to seek revenge against US forces in Iraq.

"Our response will be very tough on the American forces in Iraq," Mohandes said.

READ: Amidst Criticisms, Pompeo Discusses US Attacks On Iranian-Militias With World Leaders