President Biden told Congressional leadership in a letter on Saturday that this week’s air strike against facilities in Syria linked to Iran-backed militia groups was consistent with the U.S. right to self-defense.
Why it matters: Some Democrats, including Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.) And Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) And Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Criticized the Biden government for the strike and demanded a briefing.
- “Offensive military action without congressional approval is not constitutional, without extraordinary circumstances,” Kaine said on Friday.
- A spokesman for the National Security Council said the Pentagon had pre-notified Congress and that the government continues to inform Hill at the level of members and officials.
What is he saying: “These non-state militia groups have been involved in recent attacks against the United States and Coalition officials in Iraq, “said Biden in Saturday’s letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate President pro tempore Patrick Leahy.
- Biden said these attacks included the February 15 attack “in Erbil, Iraq, which injured a member of the United States service, injured four US contractors, including one seriously, and killed a Filipino contractor.”
- “These groups are also involved in the ongoing planning for future attacks of this type,” added the president.
- “In response, I directed 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 measures in self-defense, even when, as is the case here, the government of the state where the threat is located does not want or is unable to prevent third parties from using its territory – state militia groups responsible for such attacks. “
- “I directed this military action consistent with my responsibility to protect the citizens of the United States, both at home and abroad, and in promoting the national security of the United States and foreign policy interests, in accordance with my constitutional authority to conduct relations. United States and as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive. “
- “The United States has taken this measure in accordance with the United States’ inherent right of self-defense, as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.”
- Biden concluded by saying that he was “providing this report as part of my efforts to keep Congress fully informed, in accordance with the Powers of War Resolution”.
The big picture: Iran on Saturday condemned the U.S. attack on Syria and denied responsibility for the attacks on US targets in Iraq, according to Reuters.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called the attack “illegal and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty,” state media reported.
- An Iraqi militia official said on Friday that the attack killed at least one fighter and wounded several others, reports the AP.
Go deeper: Biden says U.S. air strike in Syria sent a warning to Iran to “be careful”