Washington ? About 2,200 Marines are headed from their ships in the Persian Gulf to an undisclosed location in Iraq’s western Anbar province to help shore up U.S. combat power in an area riddled with insurgent violence.

The move, intended as a short-term measure, is evidence of the severity of the conflict in Anbar. The insurgency is entrenched and well-organized in a province where U.S. soldiers and Marines are being killed almost daily.

It will be the unit’s third tour in Iraq. It participated in the initial invasion in March 2003 and returned in March 2005.

The move was disclosed Wednesday by Gen. John Abizaid during testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee. He said he approved the deployment “to help address” concerns expressed by Maj. Gen. Richard Zilmer, who commands all U.S. forces in Anbar.

There already are about 30,000 U.S. troops in Anbar, which includes the trouble spots of Fallujah and Ramadi.