US Military Actions in Iraq and Syria: A Response to Iranian Attacks and the Role of the War Powers Resolution
3 min read
The United States military recently conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, targeting facilities used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and their affiliates. These strikes were in response to a series of attacks against American personnel and facilities, which have continued to expand to a third country and put U.S. personnel and Coalition forces at risk. In a letter to Congress, President Joe Biden defended his actions, stating that they were “consistent” with the War Powers Resolution of 1973 and the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF) in Public Law 107-40.
The U.S. launched retaliatory attacks on February 2, 2024, following the deaths of three American soldiers in a drone attack in Jordan. The airstrikes targeted over 85 facilities, and after their confirmation, Biden warned, “If you harm an American, we will respond.” The attacks were intended to deter the IRGC and affiliated militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. forces and facilities and to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.
The president’s letter to Congress also referred to the Iran-affiliated militia attack that killed three service members and injured multiple others at “Tower 22” base housing in northeastern Jordan. In response to the continued attacks, the president directed U.S. forces to conduct “discrete strikes” on facilities in Syria and Iraq. These strikes were aimed at protecting and defending U.S. personnel and assets in Syria, Iraq, and Jordan, conducting military operations pursuant to the 2001 AUMF.
Biden’s actions were justified under his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive under the 2001 AUMF and the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq written in Public Law 107-243. He also emphasized that the U.S. was taking action consistent with international law and based upon the United States’ right to self-defense, as written in Article 51 in the United Nations Charter.
The U.S. military’s actions in Iraq and Syria have sparked debate on Capitol Hill regarding the use of Authorizations for Use of Military Force (AUMFs) signed in 2001 and 2002. These AUMFs were approved by Congress to allow the U.S. to fight in Afghanistan and to invade Iraq. However, there is currently a bipartisan push on Capitol Hill to adopt new authorization for the current conflict. It should also be noted that Article 1, Section 6 of the Constitution grants Congress the authority to “Declare War.”
Another bipartisan push is underway in the House to repeal the AUMFs from 2001 and 2002. The Senate repealed the 2002 AUMF, but the effort died in the House. The ongoing series of attacks against U.S. forces and facilities in Iraq, Syria, and Jordan necessitates a response from the U.S. military, and the debate on the appropriate authorization for these actions continues.
The U.S. military’s actions in Iraq and Syria serve as a reminder of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the need for a clear and effective U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. must balance its commitment to protecting its personnel and assets with the potential for escalation and the importance of international cooperation. The War Powers Resolution and the 2001 AUMF provide the legal framework for the U.S. military’s response to these attacks, but the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill highlights the need for a more comprehensive and bipartisan approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
In conclusion, the U.S. military’s actions in Iraq and Syria serve as a response to Iranian attacks and a reminder of the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The War Powers Resolution and the 2001 AUMF provide the legal framework for these actions, but the ongoing debate on Capitol Hill highlights the need for a more comprehensive and bipartisan approach to U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. The U.S. must balance its commitment to protecting its personnel and assets with the potential for escalation and the importance of international cooperation. The ongoing series of attacks against U.S. forces and facilities necessitates a clear and effective U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.
