Mr. Speaker.
As I have previously reported, militia groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have carried out a number of attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria. These attacks, which have resulted in injuries to U.S. personnel, have seriously endangered the lives of U.S. personnel and coalition forces operating alongside U.S. forces.
As I reported on October 27, 2023, November 10, 2023, and November 14, 2023, in response to this series of attacks and the threat of future attacks, at my direction, U.S. forces conducted targeted strikes against facilities in Syria used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups.
On the night of November 21, 2023, at my direction, United States forces conducted discrete strikes against facilities in Iraq used by the IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups for command and control, logistics, and other purposes. The strikes were undertaken to deter future attacks and were conducted in a manner designed to reduce the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties. I directed the strikes to protect and defend our personnel who are in Iraq and Syria conducting military operations under the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force. The strikes were intended to disable and disrupt an ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners, and to deter Iran and Iranian-backed militias from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities.
I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect the citizens of the United States at home and abroad and in furtherance of the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States in accordance with my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive Officer and to conduct foreign relations. The United States has taken this necessary and appropriate action in accordance with international law and in the exercise of the United States' inherent right of self-defense as set forth in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations. The United States stands ready to take further action, if necessary and appropriate, to address additional threats or attacks. I am providing this report as part of my efforts to fully brief Congress in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of Congress in this action.
(whitehouse.gov/JaV)
Sincerely,
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
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