Washington: The US military executed a strike on a vessel in the Eastern Pacific Ocean on Monday, which was allegedly involved in narco-trafficking activities, as announced by the US Southern Command.
According to Anadolu Agency, the operation was conducted under the guidance of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear in international waters. Intelligence reports confirmed the vessel's engagement in narco-trafficking along established routes in the region. The action resulted in the death of one individual identified as a narco-terrorist, with no reported injuries to US military personnel. The operation's details were shared via the US social media platform X.
In other developments, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani commented on the ongoing tensions with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeastern Syria. He expressed disappointment over the SDF's lack of willingness to integrate into Damascus's central administration. This follows an agreement signed on March 10 intended to promote Syria's national unity and territorial cohesion. The SDF's hesitation to implement the agreement's terms has been described by al-Shaibani as a systematic stalling process.
Meanwhile, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with at least 411 Palestinians killed and over 1,100 injured since a ceasefire agreement took effect on October 10. The government media office reported numerous Israeli violations, including direct shootings, military incursions, and home demolitions. The office also criticized Israel for not fulfilling humanitarian commitments, allowing only a fraction of the agreed aid shipments into Gaza.
In the US, President Donald Trump addressed ongoing talks between Ukraine and Russia, acknowledging the challenges posed by deep-seated animosities between the leaders of the two nations. Despite these difficulties, Trump stated that dialogue continues, with discussions reportedly including a potential trilateral format involving the US.
In business news, China has urged the Dutch government to revoke an administrative order against Nexperia, a semiconductor manufacturer owned by Chinese company Wingtech Technology Co. This follows what China's Ministry of Commerce described as inappropriate administrative intervention by the Dutch authorities.
Additionally, Trkiye and Azerbaijan have signed a new cooperation deal covering energy, trade, and investments. The agreement, part of the 12th Joint Economic Commission protocol, aims to enhance regional prosperity through strengthened collaboration within the Organization of Turkic States.