[House Document 113-147]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



113th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 113-147

 
              NOTIFICATION OF TARGETED AIRSTRIKES IN IRAQ

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

   A NOTIFICATION OF AN AUTHORIZATION OF TARGETED AIRSTRIKES IN IRAQ




 September 8, 2014.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, September 1, 2014.
Hon. John A. Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: As I reported on August 8 and 17, 2014, 
U.S. Armed Forces have conducted targeted airstrikes in Iraq 
for the limited purposes of stopping the advance on Erbil by 
the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant 
(ISIL), supporting civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar, and 
supporting operations by Iraqi forces to recapture the Mosul 
Dam. U.S. Armed Forces have also provided humanitarian 
assistance to the civilians trapped on Mount Sinjar.
    On August 28, 2014, I further authorized U.S. Armed Forces 
to conduct targeted airstrikes in support of an operation to 
deliver humanitarian assistance to civilians in the town of 
Amirli, Iraq, which is surrounded and besieged by ISIL. 
Pursuant to this authorization, on August 30, 2014, U.S. 
military forces commenced targeted airstrike operations in the 
vicinity of Amirli, Iraq. These additional operations will be 
limited in their scope and duration as necessary to address 
this emerging humanitarian crisis and protect the civilians 
trapped in Amirli.
    I have directed these actions, which are in the national 
security and foreign policy interests of the United States, 
pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign 
relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. These 
actions are being undertaken in coordination with and at the 
request of the Iraqi government.
    I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep 
the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers 
Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the 
Congress in this action.
            Sincerely,
                                                      Barack Obama.