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In response, Defense Secretary Mark Esper said Tuesday night that an infantry battalion of about 750 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division would be deployed to the Middle East \"immediately.\" The 82nd Airborne Division tweeted photos early Wednesday of more than 650 paratroopers as they began the deployment.

The assault on the compound grew out of anger over U.S. airstrikes against an Iranian-backed militia Sunday.

\"PHOTO:
Khalid al-Mousily/Reuters
PHOTO: A U.S. Army soldier is seen at a watchtower of the U.S. Embassy during a protest to condemn air strikes on bases, in Baghdad, Jan. 1, 2020.
>

Iraq remains on the State Dept.’s \"Level 4: Do Not Travel\" list for American citizens.

The protesters' dispersal and suspension of consulate operations come less than 24 hours before Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was scheduled to depart for his first visit to Ukraine among other countries -- a visit that has now been cancelled.

\"Secretary Pompeo must postpone his visit to Ukraine, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus due to the need for the Secretary to be in Washington, D.C., to continue monitoring the ongoing situation in Iraq and ensure the safety and security of Americans in the Middle East,\" State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement Wednesday.

ABC News' Libby Cathey contributed to this report.

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