The U.S. Navy on Tuesday announced what it said was the first seizure of Iranian weapons destined for Yemen since Houthi rebels launched an offensive campaign against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea two months ago, but the mission was not completed. Two Navy SEALs were lost at sea. Search and rescue operations continued last week, but he remains missing.
On January 11, 2024, while conducting a flag verification, U.S. Centcom naval forces received “highly lethal supplies from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen as part of the Houthis' ongoing operations.” “This may have been an attack on an international merchant vessel,” U.S. Central Command said in a statement on Tuesday.
“U.S. Navy SEALs operating from the USS Lewis B Puller (ESB3), with the support of helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), carried out a complex boarding of a dhow near the coast of Somalia in international waters in the Arabian Sea and “Parts for ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were seized on a ship manufactured by the United States,” it said in a statement. “The items seized include propulsion systems, guidance systems, and warheads for Houthi medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense components.''
Navy SEALs missing off the coast of Somalia were tracking Iranian weapons bound for Yemen, officials say
On January 10, 2024, the dhow was identified and assessed as stowaway. USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) was directed to perform flag verification. (U.S. Central Command)
“Initial analysis indicates that these same weapons have been used by the Houthis to intimidate and attack innocent seafarers on international commercial ships sailing in the Red Sea,” CENTCOM added. . “This is the first time that deadly advanced conventional weapons (ACW) supplied by Iran have been seized by the Houthis since the Houthis began attacks on commercial ships in November 2023. This is also the first capture of advanced ballistic and cruise missiles manufactured by the US Navy.'' Missile components have been deployed by the US Navy since November 2019. The direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer of arms to the Houthis in Yemen violates UN Security Resolution 2216 and international law. ”
On January 11, USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3) intercepted a dhow and conducted a night boarding. U.S. sailors maintained custody of the dhow until dawn and completed an extensive search for the vessel with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard. (U.S. Central Command)
CENTCOM revealed that two US Navy SEALs who were previously reported lost at sea were directly involved in the operation.
“We are conducting a thorough search for our missing teammate,” USCENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Eric Kurilla said in a statement.
On January 12, an initial search of the dhow revealed suspicious substances throughout the ship's hold. (U.S. Central Command)
The dhow was deemed unsafe and sunk by the US Navy. The Navy said the disposition of the 14 dhow crew members was determined in accordance with international law.
“It is clear that Iran continues to transport highly lethal aid to the Houthis. This is another example of how we are sowing instability,” Kurilla added. “We will continue to work with our regional and international partners to expose and thwart these efforts, and ultimately restore freedom of navigation.”
The cargo was opened on board the dhow and Advanced Conventional Weapons (ACW) were identified. The item was immediately determined to be safe by weapons experts. (U.S. Central Command)
Two Navy SEALs go missing off the coast of Somalia during night embarkation mission
The missing sailors have so far not been publicly identified as efforts to find survivors continue.
The two special forces members were climbing a ladder on board the ship during a mission in the Gulf of Aden when high waves caused one to fall into the sea, according to reports, citing US officials. As part of Navy SEAL protocol, a second SEAL followed the first and jumped in to help his distressed partner, and both men were lost. Due to the warm waters of the Gulf of Aden, strong swells and fatigue are more of a concern than hypothermia.
Tuesday's announcement came a day after Houthi rebels fired a missile at a U.S.-owned ship in the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen on Monday. Red Sea.
The dhow was carried parallel to the USS Lewis B. Puller and was offloaded with Advanced Conventional Weapons (ACW) supplies. (U.S. Central Command)
The attack on the Gibraltar Eagle, later claimed by the Houthis, further heightened tensions gripping the Red Sea after an attack on the U.S.-led rebels. Amid the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Houthi attacks have disrupted the global shipping industry, targeting a vital corridor linking energy and cargo shipments in Asia and the Middle East from the Suez Canal to Europe. There is.
The United States, backed by Britain, launched an offensive in Yemen on Friday, hitting more than 60 targets in 28 locations with cruise missiles and bombs fired from fighter jets, warships and submarines. The US said the areas attacked included weapons depots, radar and command centers, including remote mountain areas.
After transfer, all items were unpacked and identified as Advanced Conventional Weapons (ACW). (U.S. Central Command)
The Houthis have yet to admit the severity of the damage caused by the airstrike, saying five soldiers were killed and six others injured.
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US forces attacked a Houthi radar site on Saturday. Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea, claiming retaliation for Israel's Hamas operation in Gaza. But they frequently target ships with weak or unclear connections to Israel, endangering shipping along key routes for global trade.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
