WASHINGTON: The two US Navy Seals who went missing during an operation to seize Iranian-made weapons – bound for Houthis in Yemen – are now presumed dead, BBC News has quoted the US military as having said.
The incident took place on 11 January when the commandos were boarding a ship off the coast of Somalia. According to media reports, one Seal was swept away and the second jumped in after them, following protocol.
According to US Central Command, attempts were now being made to recover their bodies.
“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honour their sacrifice and example,” said Gen Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of Central Command (Centcom).
Air and naval units from the US, Spain and Japan spent 10 days searching an area of more than 21,000 sq miles (54,389 sq km) to try and find the commandos, with the help of oceanographers and meteorologists.
Navy Seals are members of a specialist US maritime military force responsible for tasks including reconnaissance and carrying out covert operations.
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“These SEALs represented the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement Monday.
“Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans.”
Military officials told the media that the first Seal was swept into heavy seas during the night mission as they were boarding an unflagged dhow – a traditional sailing ship – where the weapons were discovered.
The second then entered the water to try and save the first, as is taught during training, the media reports suggest.
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said “our hearts are with” the families of the “two brave Navy Seals”.
“The entire Department is united in sorrow today. We are grateful to all who worked tirelessly to try to find and rescue them,” he wrote on X.
Last week, Centcom said that warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as parts for air defence systems, were among the items seized.
Centcom believed that the components were for missiles that have been used by the Iran-backed Houthis to target ships travelling through the Red Sea recently.
The supply, sale and transfer of weapons to the Houthis is considered a violation of a 2015 UN Security Resolution, as well as international law.
Houthis have had targeted dozens of vessels, leading hundreds of cargo ships and tankers to be rerouted around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the strikes.
The Houthis, who support Hamas, say they are only targeting vessels with connections to Israel following the start of the Gaza war. However, some of the ships that have been targeted have had no clear connection to Israel.
