CENTCOM troops killed ISIS leader al-Hardani in Syria, while Israeli forces eliminated Hezbollah officer Ali Qoutan as both nations continue counterterrorism efforts. Senator Bernie Moreno was called out for grasping at straws. The long-range R-77M air-to-air missile, a much-improved version of the AA-12 Adder, appears to have been used in combat.

The military gave few details on the ground operation, but counterterrorism raids have typically involved helicopter-borne Special Operations commandos.