Evening Brief: US Targets More Suspected Drug Vessels, Munich Airport Closes, Hamas Accepts Parts of Gaza Peace Plan

· Guy D. McCardle

Suspected drug boat struck by US forces in the Carribean Sea. (Screenshot/X)

Closing out the week – SOFREP Evening Brief for October 3, 2025.

 

US Expands Caribbean Strikes on Suspected Drug Boats, Killing Four Off Venezuela

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday the US military struck a small boat off Venezuela, killing four men in what he described as a narcotics-trafficking operation linked to “narco-terrorists.”

It was the fourth deadly strike in the Caribbean since President Donald Trump declared drug cartels unlawful combatants, framing the campaign as an armed conflict.

The Trump administration says the four operations have killed 21 people, though it has provided few details on which groups were targeted.

The strikes follow a major US naval buildup in the region, with eight warships and more than 5,000 personnel deployed.

Critics warn that the actions raise questions about presidential war powers without congressional approval.

 

Trump Administration Deploys Military Lawyers as Temporary Immigration Judges Amid Firings

The Trump administration is bringing in up to 600 National Guard and Army Reserve lawyers to serve as temporary immigration judges after firing dozens of existing judges, aiming to reduce a backlog of 3.4 million cases.

Training begins next week, with 50 Army Reserve lawyers set for six-month assignments, according to a September 3 email sent to an Army Reserve attorney and reviewed by The Associated Press.

Critics warn the plan risks harming both immigration courts and military justice, since most JAGs have little immigration law experience. Advocates say it could erode due process and increase appeals, while Democrats question whether the move violates the Posse Comitatus Act.

The administration argues the appointments will ease staffing shortages as it ramps up immigration enforcement.

 

General Bryan Fenton Retires as Head of US Special Operations Command

General Bryan Fenton retired Friday after more than 30 years as an Army Special Forces officer, ending his tenure as commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

Fenton, who also led Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and served as senior military assistant to two defense secretaries, thanked service members, civilians, contractors and families in a farewell letter.

The Senate has confirmed Navy Admiral Frank Bradley, a SEAL officer and current JSOC commander, as his successor.

 

Hegseth Orders Overhaul of Pentagon Watchdog, Ending Anonymous Complaints and Tightening Rules

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced major changes to the Pentagon inspector general’s office, requiring complainants to be identified, dismissing cases deemed “non-credible,” and imposing stricter timelines for filing and investigations.

Hegseth called the system “weaponized,” but advocates warned the changes could silence troops reporting harassment, racism, or abuse.

Critics said eliminating anonymous complaints would undo years of reforms following high-profile cases such as the killing of Army Specialist Vanessa Guillen.

The overhaul comes as Hegseth himself is under inspector general investigation for sharing sensitive military information over the Signal app.

 

Shutdown Stalemate Deepens as Senate Vote Fails and Trump Plans Cuts

The government shutdown entered its third day Friday with little sign of progress after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill to reopen agencies, voting 54-44 against the measure.

Democrats are demanding permanent extensions of Affordable Care Act tax credits, while President Donald Trump and GOP leaders insist the government must reopen before health care negotiations.

Trump has threatened layoffs and major spending cuts, including billions withheld from infrastructure projects in Democratic states. About 750,000 federal workers face furloughs, with $400 million in daily lost wages.

Both parties blame each other as bipartisan Senate talks explore temporary compromises on ACA subsidies.

 

US Army Cancels Best Squad Competition Due to Government Shutdown

The US Army canceled its annual Best Squad Competition, set to begin Friday at Fort Bragg, because of the federal government shutdown caused by Congress’ failure to pass a budget or temporary funding measure.

The contest, now in its fourth year, pits 12 squads from across the Army in fitness, tactical, and knowledge challenges, with finalists slated to compete in Washington.

An Army spokesperson said the event could be rescheduled once government funding is restored.

The competition, launched in 2022, highlights the role of cohesive squads as the Army’s most influential unit level.

 

Trump Nominates Lt. Gen. Jason Hinds to Lead USAFE-AFAFRICA as Post Downgraded to Three-Star Command

President Donald Trump has nominated Lt. Gen. Jason T. Hinds to command US Air Forces in Europe-Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA), a position downgraded from four-star to three-star rank under a Pentagon directive to cut senior officer billets.

Hinds, an F-22 pilot and former deputy commander, has served as interim head since General James Hecker retired in June.

If confirmed, Hinds will also lead NATO’s Allied Air Command and oversee 35,000 personnel across 104 nations from Ramstein Air Base.

The downgrade marks the first time in decades the post will not be held by a four-star general, though other top US military commands in Europe remain four-star billets.

 

USS Gerald R. Ford Returns to Mediterranean for First Time Since August

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) re-entered the Mediterranean Sea this week, the first US aircraft carrier presence in the region since August.

The carrier was spotted off Palma de Mallorca, Spain, after participating in NATO’s Neptune Strike 2025 exercise in the North Sea and operating near the United Kingdom and Norway.

Ford previously operated in the Mediterranean during the summer and was shifted north before joining NATO-led drills.

The US has adjusted its carrier deployments between the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and North Arabian Sea in response to tensions involving Russia, Hamas, Iran, and regional maritime security.

 

Manchester Vigil Honors Synagogue Attack Victims Amid Anger Over Rising Antisemitism

Hundreds gathered in Manchester on Friday to mourn two men killed in a Yom Kippur synagogue attack, expressing grief and frustration over rising antisemitism in the UK.

The assailant, a naturalized British citizen of Syrian descent, rammed his car into worshippers and stabbed one person before being shot dead by police, who said a second victim may have been struck by their gunfire.

Authorities are treating the assault as terrorism.

The vigil drew messages of solidarity across faiths but also tension, with some jeering Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy over his stance on Gaza.

Antisemitic incidents in Britain have surged since the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, deepening Jewish community fears even as many vowed to carry on with defiance.

 

Munich Airport Shut Overnight After Drone Sightings

Munich Airport halted flights overnight after several drones were spotted nearby, disrupting travel for nearly 3,000 passengers and diverting 15 flights.

Operations resumed early Friday after police found no drones, but halted again that night following reports of another unidentified drone.

The incident adds to a wave of mysterious drone overflights across Europe, including sightings over a Belgian military base the same night.

Authorities suspect possible state involvement but warn that “anybody with drones” could be responsible.

German officials plan to push for stronger drone detection and defense measures at an upcoming security meeting.

 

Russia Launches Largest Strike on Ukraine’s Gas Facilities, Causing Critical Damage Ahead of Winter

Russia launched its biggest attack of the war on Ukraine’s gas production facilities overnight, firing 35 missiles and 60 drones at Naftogaz sites in Kharkiv and Poltava, causing critical damage, officials said Friday.

Ukraine’s private energy provider DTEK suspended operations at several facilities, leaving more than 8,000 consumers without power.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strikes aimed to worsen conditions before winter, while Russia confirmed it targeted energy and military-industrial infrastructure.

Ukraine, which has already seen gas output drop 40 percent from earlier strikes, is boosting imports to stockpile fuel.

Meanwhile, Kyiv escalated retaliatory drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, hitting 19 facilities in September, including a strike Friday on the Orsknefteorgsintez refinery near Kazakhstan.

 

Hamas Accepts Parts of Trump Gaza Peace Plan but Calls for More Talks

Hamas said Friday it accepts some elements of US President Trump’s plan to end the Gaza war, including giving up power and releasing remaining hostages, but insisted other points require wider Palestinian agreement and further negotiations.

The group did not commit to disarming, a key Israeli demand.

Trump has given Hamas until Sunday to agree, warning of a harsher military campaign if it refuses.

The plan, already accepted by Israel, calls for a halt to fighting, prisoner exchanges, an Israeli withdrawal from much of Gaza, and international administration of the territory.

Hamas officials said practical and political details, including governance, security, and hostages’ remains, still need clarification.

 

Sources: News Agencies