Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) praised President Trump's response after Iranian-backed militias breached the International Zone of Baghdad, known as the Green Zone, and attacked the U.S. Embassy on Tuesday.
The Department of Defense has sent around 100 U.S. Marines who are assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Crisis Response-Central Command to reinforce the embassy.
"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 statement. "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."
Marines are tasked with protecting American embassies around the world. In addition to the reinforcements, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters are providing air cover to the embassy.
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
"Very proud of President [Trump] 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," Graham tweeted. "To the Iranian government: Be careful what you wish for — a country that depends on the ability to refine oil for its existence needs to be cautious. President Trump, unlike President Obama, will hold you accountable for threats against Americans and hit you where it hurts the most. Choose your battles wisely."
To the Iranian government:
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 31, 2019
Be careful what you wish for — a country that depends on the ability to refine oil for its existence needs to be cautious.
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To our Iraqi allies:
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) December 31, 2019
This is your moment to convince the American people the US-Iraq relationship is meaningful to you and worth protecting.
Protect our American personnel. You will not regret it.
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The militias targeted the American Embassy after the U.S. conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Kataeb Hezbollah in retaliation for the killing of a U.S. contractor on Friday.