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Report 20161014A

Date

October 14, 2016

Administration

Barack Obama (Second Term)

Location

Yemen

Was 4(a)(1) Triggered? (Hostilities/Imminent Hostilities)

Yes, described in/inferred from report

Was 4(a)(2) Triggered? (Combat- Equipped Introduction)

No, as described in/inferred from report

Was 4(a)(3) Triggered? (Substantial Enlargement)

No, as described in/inferred from report

Joint/Coalition Mission

No

Article 51 Report to UN

Yes

Details: S/2016/869

Purpose/Mission

Respond to threat

Details: "in response to anti-ship cruise missile launches perpetrated by Houthi insurgents that threatened U.S. Navy warships in the international waters of the Red Sea"; "to protect our personnel and our ships and ... preserve our freedom of navigation in this important maritime passageway"

Domestic Legal Authority

Constitution (Art. II)

Details: "I directed these strikes pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct U.S. foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive"

Claimed International Legal Basis

Self-Defense Consent of territorial state

Details: Stated in letter to UN. Self-defense also invoked: "limited and proportionate strikes were conducted to protect our personnel and our ships and will preserve our freedom of navigation in this important maritime passageway. The United States stands ready to take action in self-defense, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats."

Estimated Scope/Duration

Scope/duration specified

Details: "These limited and proportionate strikes were conducted to protect our personnel and our ships"; "Initial assessments show that the radar facilities were destroyed by the strikes."

Type of Enemy or Mission

Non-state actor

Details: Houthi insurgents

Military Activity

Air operations

Details: "U.S. Armed Forces conducted missile strikes on radar facilities in Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen"

US Casualties Reported

No

Non-US Casualties Reported

Unknown