What Mattered This Week

BLACK SEA — A Romanian Air Force F-16 fighter aircraft shot down an unauthorized drone at 10:13 local time on 26 July over Romania’s territorial waters 12 km northeast of Sulina, according to the Ministry of Defense. The interception marks the third such action in three consecutive days.

What Happened

MIDDLE EAST — On Saturday afternoon, Coalition forces intercepted and shot down an explosive-laden drone over Erbil at approximately 3:20 p.m. local time, according to information obtained by Kurdistan24 (KRG state-run media). No casualties or material damage were immediately reported.

The interception occurred one day after the Kurdistan Region’s Counter-Terrorism Service announced that Coalition forces destroyed five explosive-laden drones over Erbil between 9:32 a.m. and 9:45 a.m. local time.

ROMANIA — On July 25 at 08:22, the radar surveillance systems of the Romanian Ministry of Defense detected a new unauthorized incursion into national airspace by a drone operating in the border area with Ukraine.

Two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft of the Romanian Air Force, on duty in the Air Policing combat service, intercepted the aerial target and carried out standard identification and engagement procedures, according to the ministry.

ROMANIA — A Romanian Air Force F-16 from the 86th Air Base at Fetești engaged and shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle over an uninhabited area near Padina in Buzău County on July 24 after the drone entered national airspace.

The Romanian Ministry of Defense stated that its radar system detected the aerial target at 9:39 a.m. approximately 12 miles (20 km) east of Sulina. The target followed a trajectory of Sulina-Brăila-Fetești-Buzău.

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. Central Command started the 13th consecutive night of strikes against Iranian military targets at 6:45 p.m. ET on July 23 and completed them at 9 p.m. ET the same day.

U.S. forces targeted Iranian military command centers, drone storage facilities, communication networks, coastal surveillance sites, and maritime capabilities.

U.S. Central Command: “At 10:30 p.m. ET on July 22, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces completed another round of strikes against Iran for the 12th consecutive night.

U.S. forces struck Iranian military targets including maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets. The strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to attack civilian mariners and commercial vessels.

JORDAN — The U.S. Embassy in Amman stated on Wednesday that it is rescheduling some routine consular-related appointments out of an abundance of caution given continuing regional tensions, while remaining on ordered departure status since March 2.

The embassy reminded U.S. citizens that Iran has attacked civilian and critical infrastructure across the Middle East, including hotels, airports, diplomatic facilities, and other civilian locations.

MIDDLE EAST — U.S. Central Command forces completed the 11th consecutive evening of strikes against Iranian military targets at 8:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

The strikes targeted Iranian military operations centers, maritime capabilities, aircraft hangars, drone storage facilities, and military logistics infrastructure. CENTCOM said the strikes further degrade Iran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

BERING SEA — The U.S. Coast Guard monitored the Chinese research ships Xue Long and Xue Long 2 as they transited north through the U.S. exclusive economic zone and over the U.S. extended continental shelf in the Bering Sea, marking the first Chinese vessels tracked in this area this year.

The Coast Guard cutter Munro executed Operation Frontier Sentinel to actively monitor the vessels during their northbound transit.

U.S. Finishes Latest Strikes Against Iran on July 20. U.S. forces struck Iranian military command centers, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defense systems

Kuwaiti Air Defenses Currently Intercepting Missile, Drone Attacks. Kuwaiti Army: "Kuwaiti air defenses are currently confronting hostile missile and drone attacks".

SOMALIA — U.S. Africa Command conducted an airstrike targeting al-Shabaab on July 15 in the vicinity of Welmaro, approximately 62 miles (100 km) north of Kismayo. The command released the statement on July 20.

The July 15 strike was the seventh airstrike AFRICOM announced against al-Shabaab in Somalia between July 3 and July 15, all conducted in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia.

U.S. Central Command: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) successfully completed the ninth consecutive evening of strikes against Iran, July 19, at 10 p.m. ET.

CENTCOM assets targeted Iranian military command centers, air defense and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further diminish Iran’s ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command: "CENTCOM began conducting a new wave of strikes against Iran at 7 p.m. ET today for the ninth consecutive night. The strikes will continue degrading Iranian military capabilities used to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz."

"U.S. Navy Sailors remain focused and vigilant aboard guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113), as American forces continue implementing the naval blockade against Iran. As of July 19, CENTCOM has redirected 6 commercial vessels and disabled 1 to ensure full compliance."