2024-01-22T05:15:24+00:00
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/ The US Central Command said, at dawn on Monday, that the whereabouts of two Navy SEALs who went missing in the Gulf of Aden this month during a raid on a boat carrying Iranian weapons have not been determined after an extensive search and their status has been changed to deceased.
The US Central Command wrote on its website that they were reported missing after boarding the boat on January 11 in an operation off the coast of Somalia.
“We mourn two of our Navy SEAL warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example,” Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of U.S. Central Command, said in a statement. “Our prayers go out to the families and friends of the Navy SEALs, the Navy, and the entire special operations community during this time.”
A joint operation by the United States, Spain and Japan searched more than 54,000 square kilometers of ocean for the missing Special Forces personnel, Central Command said in the statement.
The US Central Command explained that the mission “has now become a recovery operation.”
The United States has carried out a series of strikes against Houthi targets in response to their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea that have disrupted global trade and raised fears of supply disruptions.
According to the US military, Central Command forces on Saturday bombed an anti-ship missile launched by the Houthis that was targeting the Gulf of Aden and was ready to launch.
The Houthis say their attacks on commercial ships are aimed at supporting the Palestinians in the Israeli war in Gaza.
The Houthi movement has vowed to continue attacks despite strikes targeting radar and missile capabilities last week.