Obama Letter To Congress: US Aiding French Mission In Mali

President Obama has just sent a letter to Congress notifying Speaker John Boehner that US forces are aiding the French military in Mali.

The French military is pushing back against Islamist rebels (al-Shabaab) in the west African nation, a former French colony.

President Obama notes that the U.S. provided “limited technical support to the French forces” in a mission to rescue “a French citizen being
held hostage by al-Shabaab.”

President Obama’s Letter On U.S. Involvement In Mali

TEXT OF A LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE
January 13, 2013

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Mr. President:)

On January 11, 2013, French forces conducted an operation in Somalia in which they attempted to rescue a French citizen being
held hostage by al-Shabaab. United States forces provided limited technical support to the French forces in that
operation, but took no direct part in the assault on the compound where it was believed the French citizen was being held
hostage. United States combat aircraft briefly entered Somali airspace to support the rescue operation, if needed. These
aircraft did not employ weapons during the operation. The U.S. forces that supported this operation left Somalia by
approximately 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 11, 2013.

I directed U.S. forces to support this rescue operation in furtherance of U.S. national security interests, and pursuant to
my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.
I am providing this report as part of my efforts to keep the Congress fully informed, consistent with the War Powers
Resolution (Public Law 93-148). I appreciate the support of the Congress in this action.

Sincerely,
BARACK OBAMA