The United States Marine Corps has sent a 2,200-strong Marine unit to the Middle East as tensions in the region escalate. The 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), typically based in Japan, has been ordered to deploy to the Middle East.
A Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is a mobile military group from the US Marine Corps that operates from ships at sea, acting as floating bases to quickly respond to crises worldwide.
The 31st MEU, comprising air and ground forces, works closely with the US Navy and includes four main elements: the Command Element, Ground Combat Element, Aviation Combat Element, and Logistics Combat Element.
The unit can carry out a range of missions, including peacekeeping, humanitarian operations, security missions, and evacuating civilians from danger zones.
According to officials, the deployment does not necessarily mean the unit will be used as a ground force in Iran, but rather provides a range of military capabilities for commanders to use if needed.
