President Biden told Congress leadership on Saturday that this week’s airstrike on facilities in Syria linked to Iran-backed militia groups was consistent with the U.S. right to self-defense.
Why it’s important: Some Democrats, including Mr. Tim Kaine (D-Va) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) And Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California), have criticized the Biden administration for the strike and demanded a briefing.
- “Offensive military action without congressional approval is unconstitutional if there are no extraordinary circumstances,” Kaine said Friday.
- A National Security Council spokesman has said the Pentagon notified Congress in advance and that the administration continues to report the hill at the member and staff level.
What it says: “Those non-state militia groups were involved in recent attacks on U.S. and Coalition personnel in Iraq, “Biden wrote in Saturday’s letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the pro tempore president. of the Senate, Patrick Leahy.
- Biden said the attacks included the Feb. 15 attack in Erbil, Iraq, that injured a member of the U.S. service, wounded four U.S. contractors, including a critic, and killed a Filipino contractor. “.
- “These groups are also involved in the ongoing planning of future attacks of this kind,” the president added.
- “In response, I led this military action to protect and defend our personnel and our partners against these attacks and future attacks.”
- “The United States is always ready to take necessary and proportionate action in self-defense, including when, as is the case here, the government of the state where the threat is located does not want or cannot prevent the use of its territory. by groups of state militias responsible for these attacks. “
- “I led this military action in accordance with my responsibility to protect U.S. citizens both at home and abroad and in the interests of U.S. national security and foreign policy, in accordance with my authority. to conduct foreign relations in the United States and as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer. “
- “The United States took this action in accordance with the inherent right of self-defense of the United States, as reflected in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.”
- Biden concluded by saying that “I provided this report as part of my efforts to keep Congress fully informed, in accordance with the Resolution of the Powers of War.”
The big picture: Iran on Saturday condemned the U.S. strike in Syria and denied responsibility for attacks on U.S. targets in Iraq, according to Reuters.
- Irish Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif described the strike as “illegal and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty,” state media reported.
- An Iraqi militia official said Friday that the strike killed at least one fighter and injured several others, AP reported.
In depth: Biden says U.S. airstrike on Syria sent warning to Iran to “take care”