The exhaustive 10-day search for two U.S. Navy SEALs who went missing off the coast of Somalia has concluded, with the sailors now presumed dead, according to an announcement from U.S. Central Command on Sunday.
After a nighttime boarding mission on January 11, the two SEALs, whose identities remain undisclosed, disappeared into the waters off the coast of Somalia. One SEAL fell off a ship due to high waves, prompting the other to initiate a rescue attempt. Unfortunately, the search efforts, which covered over 21,000 square miles and involved ships and aircraft from the United States, Japan, and Spain, proved unsuccessful.
In a solemn statement, U.S. Central Command expressed regret, announcing the change in the status of the missing SEALs to deceased. Out of respect for the families, no further details have been released at this time. The search operation has now transitioned into a recovery mission.
The incident occurred amidst coordinated U.S. and British bombings of Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. These strikes were retaliatory actions against weeks of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which the rebels claimed were responses to Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
The January 11 mission specifically targeted an “illicit dhow” transporting Iranian advanced conventional weapons destined for the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Dhows, small sailing vessels commonly found in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, are sometimes utilized for weapon smuggling.
During the raid, an array of Iranian-made weaponry, including cruise and ballistic missile components, propulsion and guidance devices, warheads, and air defense parts, were seized. This mission represented the latest in a series of interceptions by the U.S. Navy and its allies, thwarting weapon shipments intended for the rebels.
Following the successful seizure, the U.S. Navy deemed the vessel carrying the weapons unsafe and subsequently sank it. All 14 crew members aboard the ship were detained as part of the operation.
In the wake of the tragic loss of the two Navy SEALs, General Erik Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, expressed condolences, stating, “We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example.” He extended prayers to the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this difficult time.
As the recovery operation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges and risks faced by military personnel engaged in high-stakes missions. The loss of these two Navy SEALs underscores the dedication and sacrifice required in the pursuit of national security objectives, and their legacy will undoubtedly be remembered within the Special Operations community and beyond.