More troops sent to Middle East after U.S. airstrike kills Iranian general

SAN DIEGO (KUSI) –  Iran promised to seek revenge for a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad’s airport that killed the mastermind of its interventions across the Middle East, and the U.S. said Friday that it was sending thousands more troops to the region as tensions soared in the wake of the targeted killing.

The United States said it was sending nearly 3,000 more troops to the Middle East, reflecting concern about potential Iranian retaliation. The U.S. also urged Americans to leave Iraq immediately following the airstrike at Baghdad’s international airport that Iran’s state TV said killed Soleimani and nine others.

We are learning more about the roles of local marines who responded to the attack this week on the American Embassy in Baghdad.

When militia members began their attack, Miramar-based pilots and crew members transported Camp Pendleton and twenty-nine palms marines from Kuwait to Baghdad. Within forty-five minutes they were on the ground securing and protecting the embassy from further attacks.

The marines are part of a special crisis response team.