Nine hundred additional US troops heading to the Middle East

Around 900 additional US troops are heading to the Middle East or have newly arrived there, as part of efforts to bolster air defences and protect US personnel. 

This comes after a surge in attacks in the region by Iran-affiliated groups, the Pentagon said on Thursday. 

American troops have been attacked at least 12 times in Iraq and four times in Syria over the past week, Pentagon spokesperson Patrick Ryder told a news briefing.