The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
June 06, 2017
Text of a Letter from the President to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate
June 6, 2017
Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)
I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my
Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law
93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about
deployments of U.S. Armed Forces equipped for combat.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS
In furtherance of United States counterterrorism efforts, the United States
continues to work with partners around the globe, with a particular focus on
the U.S. Central and Africa Commands' areas of responsibility. In this
context, the United States has deployed combat-equipped forces to enhance
the counterterrorism capabilities and support the counterterrorism
operations of our partners and allies. Specific information about
counterterrorism deployments to select countries is provided below, and a
classified annex to this report provides further information.
Military Operations against al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and Associated Forces
and in Support of Related United States Counterterrorism Objectives
Since October 7, 2001, U.S. Armed Forces, including Special Operations
Forces, have conducted counterterrorism combat operations in Afghanistan
against al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, and associated forces. Since August 2014,
these operations have targeted the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS),
also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which was
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 a
number of locations in the U.S. Central, European, Africa, Southern, and
Pacific Commands' areas of responsibility. Such operations and deployments
have been reported previously, consistent with Public Law 107-40 and the War
Powers Resolution, and operations and deployments remain ongoing. These
operations, which the United States has carried out with the assistance of
numerous international partners, have been successful in seriously degrading
al-Qa'ida's capabilities. If necessary, in response to terrorist threats, I
will direct additional measures to protect United States citizens and
interests. It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or the
duration of the deployments of U.S. Armed Forces necessary to counter
terrorist threats to the United States.
Afghanistan. U.S. Armed Forces have transitioned the lead for security to
Afghan security forces while striking significant blows against al-Qa'ida's
leadership and preventing Afghanistan from being used to launch attacks
against the United States. United States forces remain in Afghanistan for
the purposes of, among other things, training, advising, and assisting
Afghan forces; conducting and supporting counterterrorism operations against
the remnants of core al-Qa'ida and against ISIS; and taking appropriate
measures against those who directly threaten United States and coalition
forces in Afghanistan or provide direct support to al-Qa'ida. The United
States remains in an armed conflict, including against the Taliban, and
active hostilities remain ongoing.
The mission to help train, advise, and assist the Afghan National Defense
Security Forces and Afghan ministries and institutions continues through the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)-led Resolute Support Mission. The
United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2189, dated
December 12, 2014, which welcomed the Resolute Support Mission and
underscored the importance of continued international support for the
stability of Afghanistan.
The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed Forces in Afghanistan currently is
8,448. (The actual number of United States military personnel may exceed
the Force Management Level due to certain forces being excluded from
counting against the Force Management Level; for example, incoming and
outgoing forces that overlap during rotations of units do not count against
the Force Management Level.)
Iraq and Syria. As part of a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, U.S.
Armed Forces are conducting a systematic campaign of airstrikes and other
necessary operations against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria. U.S. Armed
Forces are also conducting airstrikes and other necessary operations against
al-Qa'ida in Syria. In Iraq, U.S. Armed Forces are advising and
coordinating with Iraqi forces and providing training, equipment,
communications support, intelligence support, and other support to select
elements of the Iraqi security forces, including Iraqi Kurdish Peshmerga
forces. Additionally, United States forces are deployed to Syria to help
coordinate United States operations with indigenous ground forces conducting
operations against ISIS. The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed Forces
in Iraq currently is 5,262. The Force Management Level for U.S. Armed
Forces in Syria is 503. Actions in Iraq are being undertaken in
coordination with the Government of Iraq, and in conjunction with coalition
partners.
On May 18, 2017, United States forces participating in the defeat-ISIS
mission near At Tanf, Syria, were threatened by forces believed to be
supporting the Syrian government. After employing appropriate measures
seeking to de-escalate the situation, United States forces struck the forces
in response to the threat to United States personnel.
Yemen. The United States military continues to work closely with the
Government of Yemen and regional partner forces to dismantle and ultimately
eliminate the terrorist threat posed by al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula
(AQAP). Our efforts since the last periodic update report have included a
number of airstrikes and two raids against AQAP operatives and facilities.
Jordan. At the request of the Government of Jordan, approximately 2,850
United States military personnel are deployed to Jordan to support
defeat-ISIS operations and the security of Jordan and to promote regional
stability. These forces will remain in Jordan, in full coordination with
the Government of Jordan, until the security situation becomes such that
they are no longer needed.
Turkey. United States forces, including strike and combat support aircraft
with associated United States military personnel, remain deployed to Turkey
to support defeat-ISIS operations and to support the defense of Turkey, at
the Turkish government's request.
East Africa Region. In Somalia, United States forces continue to counter
the terrorist threat posed by al-Qa'ida and its Somalia-based associated
force, al-Shabaab, and ISIS-Somalia. United States forces also advise,
assist, and accompany regional forces, including Somali and African Union
Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) forces, during counterterrorism operations.
Additional United States forces are deployed to Kenya to support
counterterrorism operations in East Africa.
Djibouti. United States forces continue to partner with Government of
Djibouti authorities, which have permitted use of Djiboutian territory for
basing of United States forces. United States forces remain deployed to
Djibouti, including for purposes of posturing for counterterrorism and
counter-piracy operations in the Horn of Africa and Arabian Peninsula and
contingency support for embassy security augmentation in East Africa, as
required.
Libya. United States forces conducted airstrikes - beginning in May 2016
-- against ISIS targets in Libya, including in support of efforts by forces
aligned with the Libyan Government of National Accord to recapture the city
of Sirte from ISIS, until December 19, 2016. United States forces
reinitiated airstrikes against ISIS targets south of Sirte for a limited
period, from January 18 to January 19, 2017. These airstrikes were
conducted at the request of and with the consent of the Government of
National Accord.
Lake Chad Basin Region. United States military personnel in the Lake Chad
Basin continue to provide a wide variety of support to African partners
conducting counterterrorism operations in the region. In Niger, there are
approximately 645 United States military personnel deployed to support these
missions. In Cameroon, approximately 300 United States military personnel
are also deployed, the bulk of whom are supporting United States airborne
intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in the region.
These forces are equipped with weapons for the purpose of providing their
own force protection and security, and they will remain in Cameroon, with
the consent of the Government of Cameroon, until their support is no longer
needed.
Cuba. Combat-equipped forces, deployed since January 2002 to the Naval
Base, Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, continue to conduct humane and secure detention
operations for detainees held at Guantánamo Bay under the authority provided
by the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40),
as informed by the law of war. There were 41 such detainees as of the date
of this report.
MILITARY OPERATIONS RELATED TO THE LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY
Beginning in 2011, United States military personnel with appropriate combat
equipment deployed to various countries in the central Africa region to
serve as advisors to regional forces of the African Union Regional Task
Force working to apprehend or remove Joseph Kony and other senior Lord's
Resistance Army (LRA) leaders from the battlefield and to protect local
populations. The United States military counter-LRA mission ended on April
26, 2017. United States military personnel remaining in Uganda, the
Republic of South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the
Central African Republic are conducting retrograde activities. The number
of United States military personnel still deployed to those countries in the
central Africa region is approximately 410.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SYRIA
As I previously reported, on April 6, 2017, at my direction, United States
forces in the Mediterranean Sea operating beyond the territorial sea of any
state struck the Shayrat military airfield in Syria. These strikes were in
response to the chemical weapons attack on Syrian civilians in southern
Idlib Province, Syria, on April 4, 2017.
MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT
Approximately 700 military personnel are assigned to or supporting the
United States contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers, which
have been present in Egypt since 1981.
MILITARY OPERATIONS RELATED TO THE SECURITY OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS AND
PROPERTY IN SOUTH SUDAN
My predecessor previously reported the deployment of United States military
personnel with appropriate combat equipment to South Sudan to support the
security of United States citizens and property in South Sudan, including of
our Embassy in Juba. That military mission ended in late January 2017.
UNITED STATES/NATO OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO
The United Nations Security Council authorized Member States to establish a
NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) in Resolution 1244 on June 10, 1999. The
original mission of KFOR was to monitor, verify, and, when necessary,
enforce compliance with the Military Technical Agreement between NATO and
the then-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (now Serbia), while maintaining a
safe and secure environment. Today, KFOR deters renewed hostilities in
cooperation with local authorities, bilateral partners, and international
institutions. The principal military tasks of KFOR forces are to help
maintain a safe and secure environment and to ensure freedom of movement
throughout Kosovo. The United States contribution to KFOR is approximately
660 United States military personnel out of the total strength of
approximately 4,080 personnel.
I have directed the participation of U.S. Armed Forces in all of these
operations pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority as
Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive (including the authority to carry
out Public Law 107-40 and other statutes), as well as my constitutional and
statutory authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States.
Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with the
leadership and other Members of Congress with regard to these deployments
and we will continue to do so.
Sincerely,
DONALD J. TRUMP
EM
On the 49th Parallel
Thé Mulindwas Communication Group
"With Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja and Dr. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda is in
anarchy"
Kuungana Mulindwa Mawasiliano Kikundi
"Pamoja na Yoweri Museveni, Ssabassajja na Dk. Kiiza Besigye, Uganda ni
katika machafuko"
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