U.S. Southern Command said it targeted a convoy of three vessels in international waters late last month, resulting in the deaths of several suspected “narco-terrorists” and prompting a search-and-rescue operation for survivors.

According to a statement posted on X, the strikes took place on Dec. 30 in undisclosed international waters in the Eastern Pacific. U.S. Southern Command said three suspected narco-terrorists aboard the first vessel were killed during the initial engagement.

“The remaining narco-terrorists abandoned the other two vessels, jumping overboard and distancing themselves before follow-on engagements sank their respective vessels,” the command said.

A U.S. official said at least six people survived the strikes after jumping into the water.

Southern Command said the U.S. Coast Guard was notified and initiated a search-and-rescue mission to locate the survivors. The Coast Guard confirmed that C-130 aircraft were deployed to assist in the operation and that an alert was issued to nearby mariners to be on the lookout for people in distress.

Officials did not provide further details about the identities of those involved, the destination of the vessels, or whether any drugs or contraband were recovered. The operation remains under review.