Tommy Kwesule.
Elder Lister
US to deploy thousands of additional troops to the Middle East, officials say
The deployments of the USS Boxer, an amphibious assault ship, along with its Marine Expeditionary Unit and accompanying warships, come after Reuters reported that President Donald Trump's administration was considering deploying thousands of U.S. troops to reinforce its operation in the Middle East.
Trump told reporters on Thursday that he was not putting troops "anywhere," but that if he were to do so, he would not tell journalists.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss future deployments, did not say what the role of the additional troops would be.
One of the officials said the troops were departing the West Coast of the United States about three weeks ahead of schedule. The expeditionary unit has about 2,500 Marines.
The White House referred questions to the Pentagon, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.