[House Document 117-19] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 117th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 117-19 NOTIFICATION OF A TARGETED MILITARY STRIKE __________ COMMUNICATION from THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES transmitting NOTIFICATION OF A TARGETED MILITARY STRIKE AGAINST INFRASTRUCTURE IN EASTERN SYRIA USED BY IRAN-SUPPORTED NON-STATE MILITIA GROUPS [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT] March 1, 2021.--Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs and ordered to be printed __________ U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 19-011 WASHINGTON : 2021 The White House, Washington, February 27, 2021. Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Madam Speaker: At my direction, on February 25, 2021, United States forces conducted a targeted military strike against infrastructure in eastern Syria used by Iran-supported non-state militia groups. Those non-state militia groups were involved in recent attacks against United States and Coalition personnel in Iraq, including the February 15, 2021, attack in Erbil, Iraq, which wounded one United States service member, wounded four United States contractors, including one critically, and killed one Filipino contractor. These groups are also engaged in ongoing planning for future such attacks. In response, I directed this military action to protect and defend our personnel and our partners against these attacks and future such attacks. The United States always stands 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 is unwilling or unable to prevent the use of its territory by non-state militia groups responsible for such attacks. 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 to conduct United States foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive. The United States took this action pursuant to the United States inherent right of self-defense as reflected in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. 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. [all]