Washington. February 28. INTERFAX-US President Joe Biden in a letter to Congress motivated the US Air Force strike on Syrian territory by the need to prevent new planned attacks by pro-Iranian groups on US and international coalition forces in Iraq.
He noted that " these non-State militia groups have been involved in recent attacks on United States and coalition personnel in Iraq... they are also engaged in constant planning of future similar attacks."
"In response, I gave instructions to take these military actions aimed at protecting our personnel and the personnel of our partners from these attacks and such attacks in the future," the president stressed.
The letter emphasizes: "The United States took these actions in accordance with the inherent right of the United States to self-defense, as reflected in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations," and also states that it is directed in compliance with the Resolution on Military Powers (Law 93-148) governing military actions.
Biden also said that "the United States is always ready to take necessary and proportionate measures in self-defense," including in cases where "the government of the State from which the threat originates is unwilling or unable to prevent the use of its territory by non-state militia groups responsible for such attacks."
On the eve of the US Senator-Democrat Tim Kaine demanded from the presidential administration to explain to lawmakers the reasons for the airstrike, to provide legal justification for military actions without congressional authorization.
