; Whereas, on December 8, 2023, Iran-controlled militias attacked the United States embassy in Baghdad with mortar fire; Whereas, since the October 7 Hamas attack, the administration of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., has moved warships, combat aircraft, air defense systems, and additional members of the United States Armed Forces to the Middle East to deter militant groups from widening the conflict; Whereas United States Armed Forces have carried out a series of strikes in Iraq and Syria in direct response to attacks or impending attacks by Iran-backed militia groups against United States and coalition forces, including— (1) on December 3, 2023, when United States Armed Forces engaged 5 militants near Kirkuk, Iraq, preparing to launch a one-way attack drone; (2) on November 22, 2023, when United States Armed Forces conducted airstrikes against 2 facilities in Iraq; (3) on November 21, 2023, when a United States AC–130 gunship engaged individuals responsible for launching a missile attack on United States and coalition forces at Al Assad Airbase, Iraq; (4) on November 12, 2023, when United States Armed Forces conducted airstrikes against facilities associated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups near the cities of Abu Kamal and Mayadin, Syria; (5) on November 8, 2023, when United States Armed Forces conducted airstrikes on a weapons storage facility in eastern Syria used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups; and (6) on October 26, 2023, when United States Armed Forces conducted self-defense strikes on 2 facilities in eastern Syria used by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and affiliated groups; Whereas the United States maintains 900 members of the Armed Forces in Syria and 2,500 members in Iraq to advise and assist local forces to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State; Whereas United States Armed Forces in Iraq also provide support to North Atlantic Treaty Organization Mission Iraq