US strikes drug boats in Pacific

U.S. Southern Command has confirmed that two separate strikes targeted high-speed boats on known trafficking routes, resulting in five fatalities and one survivor.

These latest actions bring the total number of people killed in boat strikes by the U.S. military to at least 168 since the crackdown began.

Officials stated that the vessels were carrying large quantities of narcotics and were intercepted as part of a mission to disrupt the financial networks of criminal organizations.

The strikes coincide with increased naval activity in the region as the U.S. also prepares for its blockade of Iranian ports.