Marines Deploy to Defend US Embassy in Iraq After Breach

Protesters and militia fighters attack a reception room of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, on Dec. 31, 2019. Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters

U.S. Marines arrived in Baghdad on Dec. 31 to defend the U.S. embassy after its outer walls were breached by militia and protesters, including supporters of an Iran-backed terrorist group.

The 100 Marines, part of the Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force—Crisis Response—Central Command, deployed from Kuwait and arrived in Baghdad around 11:30 p.m. local time, according to the group.