(AP) — One U.S. official confirmed that the USS Boxer and two other amphibious assault ships, along with roughly 2,500 Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, are bound for the Middle East from their home port of San Diego.

Two other U.S. officials confirmed that the ships were deploying, without saying where they were headed.

All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations.