The US navy obliterated a trio of suspected drug vessels in a lethal in a single day assault — marking the thirty third recognized boat strike because the Trump administration launched Operation Southern Spear in September.
The newest strike killed “three narco-terrorists” touring in a single convoy in worldwide waters, whereas suspected drug traffickers on two different boats instantly jumped overboard after the preliminary blast Tuesday night time, in accordance with the US Southern Command.
“These vessels have been operated by Designated Terrorist Organizations in worldwide waters,” navy officers mentioned in a X submit Wednesday night time, noting the strike was ordered by Warfare Secretary Pete Hegseth.
“Intelligence confirmed the vessels have been transiting alongside recognized narco-trafficking routes and had transferred narcotics between the three vessels previous to the strikes. Three narco-terrorists aboard the primary vessel have been killed within the first engagement.
“The remaining narco-terrorists deserted the opposite two vessels, leaping overboard and distancing themselves earlier than follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels.”
The US Coast Guard was swiftly notified after the strikes to launch a search-and-rescue operation for many who plunged into the water, the Southern Command added.
Footage of the operation shared on social media confirmed the three boats racing throughout the water in shut proximity earlier than one is stopped useless by a fiery blast, adopted seconds later by strikes on the opposite two.
The Southern Command, which oversees Central and South America and the Caribbean, didn’t specify the place the most recent strikes occurred or what number of suspected narco-terrorists have been on the opposite boats.
Earlier airstrikes have been within the Caribbean Sea and the japanese Pacific Ocean.
At the least 110 alleged drug smugglers have been killed in a complete of 33 recognized boat strikes since early September.
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