President Biden on Sunday sent formal notification to Congress to carry out the airstrikes, saying his actions were “consistent” with the 1973 War Powers Resolution.
Biden’s letter comes days after he directed the U.S. military to target and attack facilities in Iraq and Syria used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and its affiliates to attack U.S. forces. .
On Friday, the United States launched retaliatory strikes against both countries following a drone attack in Jordan that killed three American soldiers. According to U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), more than 85 targets were hit with airstrikes during the attack, and after the attack was confirmed, Mr. Biden warned, “If you harm Americans, we will respond.”
Biden said in the letter that previously reported attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria continue and are spreading to third countries, endangering U.S. personnel and coalition forces.
What are Iran Support Groups in the Middle East
Following his orders to attack Iraq and Syria, President Biden sent a letter to Congress on February 4, 2024, defending his ability to direct such attacks. (Steven Maturen/Getty Images)
He also referred to an attack by an Iranian militia that killed three soldiers and injured several others at Tower 22, a base housing complex in northeastern Jordan.
In response to continued attacks, the president said, and at his direction, U.S. forces conducted “individual strikes” against facilities in Syria and Iraq.
“These airstrikes were conducted to deter the Revolutionary Guards and affiliated militias from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities, to limit the risk of escalation, and to reduce the risk of escalation,” Biden said. It was carried out in a manner aimed at avoiding civilian casualties.” “I directed the attack to protect and defend our personnel and assets conducting military operations in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40). Its purpose is to: ” disparage and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners. ”
US launches airstrikes in Middle East after soldier killed: ‘This is the beginning of our response’
US launches airstrikes in western Iraq in retaliation
The President also noted his constitutional authority as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive under the Authorization for the Use of Military Force in Public Law 107-40 of 2001 and the Authorization for the Use of Military Force against Iraq written in Public Law, supported this action. 107-243.
Biden also said the United States was acting in accordance with international law and in accordance with the United States’ right of self-defense, enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
“If necessary, I will direct additional measures against the Revolutionary Guards and Revolutionary Guards-affiliated personnel and facilities in response to a series of attacks on U.S. forces and facilities,” he said. “I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep Congress well-informed in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148).”
Iran-backed proxy group threatens further attacks on US forces
Since October 17, there have been more than 160 attacks on US targets in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. (Fox News)
The president relied on the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF), signed in 2001 and 2002, to justify the attack, which Congress recognized as authorizing the United States to fight in Afghanistan and then invade Iraq. Approved by.
There is now bipartisan pressure on Capitol Hill to adopt new authorization for the current conflict. It should also be noted that Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution gives Congress the power to “declare war.”
Click to get the FOX News app
Another bipartisan effort is underway in the House of Representatives to repeal the 2001 and 2002 AUMF. The Senate repealed his 2002 AUMF, but the effort died in the House.
