President Obama Plans to Use AUMF Against ISIS

The U.S. President Barack Obama has submitted a draft proposal to Congress that would authorize the continued use of military force against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, ISIS) terrorists.

Currently, America’s armed forces are working with over 60 nations to destroy ISIL, a terrorist group.

According to a White House communiqué, President Obama already has the legal authority he needs to take action against ISIL. However, he observes that America will be strongest as a nation when the President and Congress work together.

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A bipartisan authorization of the use of military force (AUMF) against ISIL would provide a clear and powerful signal to the American people, to our allies, and to our enemies that the U.S. is united behind the effort to degrade and ultimately defeat ISIL, said the White House statement.

ISIL leaders have stated that they intend to conduct terrorist attacks internationally, including against the United States, its citizens, and interests.

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The President proposal submitted Wednesday has asked for three-year limit on the AUMF so that the next President, Congress, and the American people can assess the progress made against ISIL.

America believes that ISIL poses a grave threat to the people and territorial integrity of Iraq and Syria, regional stability, and the national security interests of the United States and its allies and partners.

These terrorists are stated to be responsible for the deaths of innocent U.S. citizens James Foley, Steven Sotloff, Abdul-Rahman Peter Kassig, and Kayla Jean Mueller.

The U.S. is currently leading over 60 partners in an international effort to degrade and destroy ISIL, and together, the coalition has conducted more than 2,300 airstrikes to date.

Unlike the AUMF that authorized the 2003 invasion of Iraq, Obama proposal does not authorize enduring offensive ground combat operations and limits this authorization to three years. In short, according to the White House, the President’s proposal is not the authorization of another ground war like Afghanistan or Iraq.

Photo / Video courtesy: White House