Administration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr., 2022

August 25, 2022

Dear Madam Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

At my direction, on August 23, 2022, United States forces conducted precision strikes against a facility in eastern Syria. The facility was used by militia groups affiliated with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps that have been involved in a series of unmanned aerial vehicle, rocket, and mortar attacks against United States personnel and facilities in Syria. Two attacks on August 15, 2022, by Iran-backed militia groups targeted al-Tanf Garrison and Mission Support Site Green Village, both U.S. bases in Syria. These August 15 attacks followed a series of attacks by Iran-backed militia groups on U.S. forces and facilities in Iraq and Syria in the last 6 months. These attacks have threatened the lives of United States and Coalition personnel.

I directed the August 23 strikes in order to protect and defend the safety of our personnel, to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners, and to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities. In support of these aims, the precision strikes were directed at a facility used by groups involved in these ongoing attacks for logistics and ammunition storage.

I directed this discrete 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 93â148). Additional information is provided in a classified annex. I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.

Sincerely,

Joseph R. Biden Jr.

NOTE: Identical letters were sent to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Patrick J. Leahy, President pro tempore of the Senate. An original was not available for verification of the content of this letter.

Categories: Communications to Congress : Syria, U.S. military operations, letter.

Subjects: Iran : Regional involvement; Iran : Terrorism, sponsorship; Syria : U.S. and coalition airstrikes; Terrorism : Counterterrorism efforts; Terrorism : Global threat.

DCPD Number: DCPD202200726.

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