WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — On Monday, the Pentagon announced it carried out its third round of anti-Daesh airstrikes in Libya since November. The airstrikes were requested by the internationally recognized Libyan Government of National Accord.
"The 2001 authorization for the use of military force, similar to our previous airstrikes in Libya," Cook told reporters when asked the legal basis for the latest US airstrikes.
The 2001 AUMF was passed in response to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and provided the authority to target any person, nation, or organization that planned or aided the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Since military action against Daesh began in August 2014, President Barack Obama has not been able to get a new AUMF passed by Congress. The Obama administration has defended the legality of using the 2001 AUMF to engage in anti-Daesh operations.
