Two Navy SEALs who went missing during a night mission off the coast of Somalia on January 11 have died, U.S. Central Command announced. announced Sunday.
The SEALs were on an interdiction mission and climbed onto the side of the ship as it went overboard. A second SEAL jumped in after him. Central Command said it had not been found after a 10-day “exhaustive” search.
“We mourn the loss of two Naval Special Warfare warriors and will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs' families and friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire special operations community during this time.” ” Gen. Michael Kurilla said in a statement.
The SEALs mission saw an elite unit sent to intercept a dhow bound for Yemen. The team discovered that Iranian missile parts were destined for the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The Houthis have been attacking civilian ships and warships in the Red Sea for weeks.
The ship sank and the crew was captured by SEALs. The operation marks an escalation against Iran in the Yemen conflict, after the United States and Britain launched joint airstrikes on Houthi targets last week.
Central Command said the search operation covered more than 21,000 square miles of ocean and included support from the Japanese and Spanish navies.
Houthi militants continue to attack civilian cargo ships and US warships despite repeated airstrikes against US military positions. The escalation of Yemen's decade-long civil war is threatening global shipping markets and could spark a new regional war in the Middle East.
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