U.S. Rapid Response Force Moving Toward the Eastern Mediterranean

According to CNN, citing American sources, a rapid response force from the U.S. Marine Corps is moving toward the Eastern Mediterranean. CNN reported from two officials that the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan, has been operating in Middle Eastern waters in recent weeks but began making its way toward the Suez Canal late last week. One official stated that the Bataan is currently in the Red Sea and is expected to cross into the Eastern Mediterranean soon. This move would place the Marine unit closer to Lebanon and Israel, where the U.S. has urged its citizens to leave Lebanon, as one of the typical roles of the Marine unit is to assist civilians with evacuations.