[House Document 118-93]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



118th Congress, 1st Session--------------------HOUSE DOCUMENT 118-93
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 NOTIFICATION OF TARGETED STRIKES AGAINST FACILITIES IN IRAQ AND SYRIA

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 NOTIFICATION OF TARGETED MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST FACILITIES IN IRAQ 
           AND SYRIA USED BY IRGC AND IRGC-AFFILIATED GROUPS

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  December 29, 2023.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and 
                         ordered to be printed
                                           The White House,
                                     Washington, December 27, 2023.
Hon. Mike Johnson,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: As I have reported previously, militia 
groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps 
(IRGC) have perpetrated a series of attacks against United 
States personnel and facilities in Iraq and Syria. These 
attacks, including the recent attack on the Erbil Air Base by 
Iran-affiliated Kataib Hezbollah and affiliated groups, have 
caused injuries to United States personnel and have placed 
under grave threat the lives of both United States personnel 
and Coalition forces operating alongside United States forces.
    Previously, in response to these attacks and the threat of 
future attacks, at my direction, United States forces have 
conducted targeted strikes against facilities in Iraq and Syria 
used by IRGC and IRGC-affiliated groups.
    On the night of December 25, 2023, at my direction, United 
States forces conducted discrete strikes against three 
facilities in Iraq used by Iran-affiliated groups for training, 
logistics support, and other purposes. The strikes were taken 
to deter future attacks and were conducted in a manner designed 
to limit the risk of escalation and minimize civilian 
casualties. I directed the strikes in order to protect and 
defend our personnel who are in Iraq conducting military 
operations pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of 
Military Force. The strikes were intended to degrade and 
disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States 
and our partners, and to deter Iran and Iran-backed militia 
groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United 
States personnel and facilities.
    I directed this military action consistent with my 
responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home 
and abroad and in furtherance of United States national 
security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my 
constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief 
Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations. The 
United States took this necessary and proportionate action 
consistent with international law and in the exercise of the 
United States' inherent right of self-defense as reflected in 
Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. The United States 
stands ready to take further action, as necessary and 
appropriate, to address further threats or attacks.
    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,
                                               Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

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