Washington (CNN) The Pentagon will deploy 1,800 more troops to Saudi Arabia in response to requests by the leading US military commander in the Middle East and, in part, because the US Navy is unable to send a relief aircraft carrier to deter potential Iranian aggression, multiple US officials tell CNN.

The move to bolster troops in the Middle East comes as President Donald Trump's decision to pull back US military forces from northeastern Syria has prompted bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who say the President has given Turkey an opening to attack US Kurdish allies who helped in the fight against ISIS.

And it follows a Thursday tweet from Trump decrying US involvement in the Middle East, in which he said that "going into the Middle East is the worst decision ever made!" He added that "we are slowly and carefully bringing our great soldiers & military home."

The Pentagon said Friday that the deployment to Saudi Arabia will include two fighter squadrons, one air expeditionary wing, two Patriot batteries and one Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Defense Department officials said they had sent 200 troops in September and 1,000 troops earlier in October, plus an additional 1,800 being sent Friday. Initially, officials had said "about 1,500" troops would be sent before clarifying with the higher number.

Enhancing defenses

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