Washington: The US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) announced on Wednesday that US forces executed kinetic strikes against three alleged narco-trafficking vessels in international waters. The operation was carried out by Joint Task Force Southern Spear under the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

According to Anadolu Agency, intelligence confirmed that the vessels were navigating known narco-trafficking routes and had transferred narcotics between each other before being targeted. During the initial strike, three individuals aboard the first vessel were killed. The attack prompted those on the remaining two vessels to abandon ship, jumping overboard before subsequent engagements resulted in the vessels being sunk.

SOUTHCOM reported that following the engagements, the US Coast Guard was immediately notified to activate the search and rescue system. In a separate announcement, SOUTHCOM disclosed that Joint Task Force Southern Spear also conducted lethal kinetic strikes on Wednesday against two other vessels allegedly operated by "Designated Terrorist Organizations." These operations resulted in the deaths of five individuals identified as "narco-terrorists," with three killed aboard the first vessel and two on the second.