President Joe Biden has officially informed Congress about the targeted strikes that he authorized earlier this week in response to attacks on U.S. bases and troops in the region. In a letter addressed to Speaker Mike Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden explained his rationale and vowed to take further action if necessary.

The strikes, carried out against militia groups in Iraq and Syria affiliated with Iran, were conducted in accordance with the War Powers Resolution, which requires the president to notify Congress about the use of military force. Biden's letter emphasized the U.S. commitment to protect its forces and deter future attacks.

According to the president, the recent attacks on U.S. forces, which resulted in 21 service members being injured and the death of a U.S. contractor due to a cardiac incident, posed a grave threat to American personnel. The retaliatory strikes were aimed at deterring Iran and its affiliated militia groups from conducting or supporting additional attacks.

While Biden did not explicitly name the specific militia groups targeted in the airstrikes, it is worth noting that Iranian-backed groups such as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada have historically been responsible for most of the attacks against U.S. forces in the region.

The president assured Congress that the airstrikes were carried out with precision and designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties. Facilities operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated militia groups, including command and control centers and munitions storage, were targeted in the strikes.

It's important to distinguish these retaliatory actions from the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized that the strikes were solely intended to protect and defend U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria, and they do not signify a shift in U.S. approach to the Israel-Hamas conflict. Efforts to prevent a broader regional conflict have been urged by the U.S., urging all state and non-state entities to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

President Biden's decision to notify Congress of the retaliatory strikes underscores his commitment to protecting U.S. forces and deterring future attacks. As the situation in the region continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the U.S. will further respond to the ongoing threats posed by Iranian-affiliated militia groups.

This article was generated by an AI assistant.