WASHINGTON: The 10-day search to locate two Navy SEALs lost in the Arabian Sea has transitioned into a recovery effort, as announced by US Central Command.
The SEALs went missing during a mission aimed at boarding a ship and seizing weapons destined for Houthi in Yemen. The search, covering over 21,000 square miles with support from multiple nations, involved ships and aircraft from the US, Japan, and Spain.
The SEALs, whose names have not been disclosed pending family notifications, faced challenging conditions during the January 11 raid. As they boarded the unflagged ship carrying weapons, one SEAL went under in heavy seas, prompting a teammate to attempt a rescue. The operation, launched from the USS Lewis B. Puller, a mobile sea base, successfully seized a variety of weaponry, including components for cruise and ballistic missiles, air defense parts, and warheads.
CENTCOM Status Update on Missing U.S. Navy Seals
We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported… pic.twitter.com/OAMbn1mwK8
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) January 21, 2024
Despite the confiscation, the US Navy deemed the ship unsafe and sunk it. The 14 crew members were detained in connection with the weapons shipment. General Erik Kurilla, head of US 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.”
The raid was part of ongoing efforts by the US Navy and its allies to interdict weapon shipments intended for Houthi. The seized missile components were linked to attacks threatening global trade routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
