[House Document 113-149]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



113th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 113-149

 
          NOTIFICATION OF FURTHER TARGETED AIRSTRIKES IN IRAQ

                               __________

                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

 A NOTIFICATION OF FURTHER TARGETED AIRSTRIKES TO RECAPTURE THE MOSUL 
                                  DAM




 September 8, 2014.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, August 17, 2014.
Hon. John A. Boehner,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: On August 14, 2014, I authorized the U.S. 
Armed Forces to conduct targeted airstrikes to support 
operations by Iraqi forces to recapture the Mosul Dam. These 
military operations will be limited in their scope and duration 
as necessary to support the Iraqi forces in their efforts to 
retake and establish control of this critical infrastructure 
site, as part of their ongoing campaign against the terrorist 
group the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The 
failure of the Mosul Dam could threaten the lives of large 
numbers of civilians, endanger U.S. personnel and facilities, 
including the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and prevent the Iraqi 
government from providing critical services to the Iraqi 
populace. Pursuant to this authorization, on the evening of 
August 15, 2014, U.S. military forces commenced targeted 
airstrike operations in Iraq.
    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 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.