Dear Madam Speaker! (Dear Mr. President:)
I am submitting this supplemental summary report prepared by my administration in accordance with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148) as part of my efforts to keep Congress informed of the deployment of combat-equipped United States armed forces.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES COUNTER-TERRORISM EFFORTS
To advance counterterrorism efforts, the United States continues to work with partners around the world, with a particular focus on the United States Central and Africa Command areas of responsibility. In this regard, the United States has deployed forces to conduct counterterrorism operations and to advise, assist, and accompany the security forces of selected foreign partners in counterterrorism operations. In most of these locations, the role of the United States military is to facilitate the counterterrorism operations of foreign partner forces and does not involve routine combat engagement. In many of these locations, the security environment is such that the United States military may be required to defend against threats or attacks, and the United States may send U.S. military personnel with weapons and other appropriate force equipment to do so. protection. Specific information on the fight against terrorism in selected countries is provided below, and a classified annex to this report contains additional information.
Military operations conducted pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force and in support of related United States counterterrorism objectives
Since October 7, 2001, the armed forces of the United States, including special operations forces, have been conducting combat operations against terrorism, including against al-Qaida and its affiliates. Since August 2014, these operations have included the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq. In support of these and other overseas operations, the United States has deployed combat-equipped forces to multiple locations in the United States Central, European, African, South, and Indo-Pacific Command areas of responsibility. Such operations and deployments have been previously announced in accordance with Public Law 107-40, Public Law 107-243, the Military Forces Resolution, and other statutes. These ongoing operations, conducted by the United States with the help of many international partners, have helped to severely degrade ISIS’s capabilities in Syria and Iraq. When necessary, I will direct additional actions to protect the people and interests of the United States in response to terrorist threats. At this time, it is not possible to know the exact scope or duration of deployments of the United States Armed Forces that are or are necessary to combat terrorist threats to the United States.
Afghanistan. The United States military remains out of Afghanistan to address threats to the US homeland and US interests that may arise from Afghanistan.
Iraq and Syria. As part of a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, the United States military is working with, with, and through local partners to conduct operations against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria and against al-Qaida in Syria to limit the possibility of ISIS resurgence. these groups and mitigate threats to the US homeland. A small presence of the United States armed forces remains in strategically important locations in Syria to conduct operations in cooperation with indigenous ground forces to counter ongoing terrorist threats emanating from Syria. United States forces in Iraq continue to advise, assist, and enable Iraqi security forces, including certain elements of the Iraqi Kurdish security forces. The United States military also provides limited support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission in Iraq. United States forces, part of the global coalition to defeat ISIS, remain in Iraq at the invitation of the Iraqi government.
As reported on August 25, 2022, on August 23, 2022, I conducted precision strikes against a facility in eastern Syria. The facility was used by militia groups linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which has been involved in a series of drone, missile and mortar attacks against US personnel and facilities in Syria. On August 15, 2022, Iranian-backed militias carried out two attacks on al-Tanf Garrison and the mission’s support post Green Village, both located on United States bases in Syria. These August 15 attacks followed 6 months of attacks by Iranian-backed militias against United States forces and facilities in Iraq and Syria. These attacks threatened the lives of US and coalition personnel. I conducted this discreet military action consistent with my responsibility to protect the citizens of the United States at home and abroad and to advance the national security and foreign policy interests of the United States, based on my constitutional authority to direct the foreign affairs of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief and Executive Director.
Arabian Peninsula region. A small number of United States military personnel have been deployed to Yemen to conduct operations against al-Qaida and ISIS in the Arabian Peninsula. The United States military continues to work closely with the Government of the Republic of Yemen and regional partner forces to reduce the terrorist threat posed by these groups.
Non-combat forces of the United States continue to provide military advice and limited intelligence to the Saudi-led coalition for defense and training purposes only in matters related to territorial defense. Such support does not include, within the meaning of the Military Forces Resolution, United States armed forces engaged in hostilities with the Houthis.
United States military forces are deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect United States forces and interests in the region from hostile activities by Iran and Iranian-backed groups. These forces, operating in coordination with the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provide air and missile defense capabilities and support the operation of United States military aircraft. The total number of United States troops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approximately 2,755.
Jordan. At the request of the Jordanian government, approximately 3,003 United States military personnel are being deployed to Jordan to support operations to defeat ISIS, strengthen Jordanian security, and promote regional stability.
Lebanon. At the request of the Government of Lebanon, approximately 36 United States military personnel are being deployed to Lebanon to strengthen the Government’s counterterrorism efforts and to support the counterterrorism operations of the Lebanese Security Forces.
Turkey. United States military forces remain in Turkey at the request of the Turkish government to support Defeat-ISIS operations and strengthen Turkish security.
East African region. On 16 May 2022, I announced my decision to restore a sustained military presence in Somalia to enable a more effective fight against al-Shabaab. The United States military has now redeployed from Africa to Somalia. The United States military continues to combat the terrorist threat posed by ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab, an al-Qaida-linked force. Since the last periodic report, the United States military has conducted one successful airstrike against a high-value al-Shabaab target and several airstrikes against al-Shabaab in defense of our partner forces in Somalia. The United States military remains ready to conduct airstrikes against ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab terrorists. The United States military in Somalia trains, advises, and assists regional forces, including Somalia and the African Union Transitional Mission in Somalia, during counterterrorism operations. The United States military is being deployed to Kenya to support counter-terrorism operations in East Africa. The United States military continues to work with the Djibouti government, which has agreed to use Djibouti as a base for the United States military. The United States military remains in Djibouti, including to conduct counterterrorism and anti-piracy operations near the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and to provide emergency assistance to enhance embassy security in East Africa as needed.
Lake Chad basin and the Sahel region. The United States military in the Lake Chad Basin and Sahel region will continue to conduct airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations and support African and European partners in conducting counterterrorism operations in the region, including advising, assisting, and accompanying their partner forces. . Approximately 1,001 United States military personnel are still deployed in Niger.
Cuba. The United States military continues to conduct humane and secure detention operations for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, pursuant to the Authorization for the Use of Military Force Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-40), which is set forth in martial law. There are 35 such detainees as of the date of this report.
Philippines. United States Armed Forces deployed to the Philippines support the Philippine Armed Forces’ counter-terrorism operations.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF MULTINATIONAL FORCES AND OBSERVERS IN EGYPT
Approximately 446 United States military personnel are assigned to or support the United States Multinational Force and Observer Contingent that has been in Egypt since 1981.
THE UNITED STATES AND THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATIONS IN KOSOVO
The United States continues to contribute troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in cooperation with local authorities, bilateral partners, and international institutions, to prevent a resumption of hostilities in Kosovo. About 488 United States military personnel are among KFOR’s roughly 3,600 personnel.
UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION COUNTRIES
Approximately 90,000 United States military personnel are assigned or deployed to North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries in Europe, including those deployed to reassure our allies and deter further Russian aggression.
I have directed the participation of the armed forces of the United States in all of the operations described above, pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority as Commander-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer (including authority to exercise Public Law 107-40, Public Law 107-). 243 et seq.), as well as my constitutional and statutory authority to direct the foreign affairs of the United States. My administration officials and I regularly communicate with congressional leadership, relevant congressional committees, and other members of Congress regarding their assignments, and we will continue to do so.
