Navy SEALs declared deceased after disappearance during maritime operation

two Navy SEALs who were reported missing following a mission off the coast of Somalia are now deceasedPhoto byRick Bowmer

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command said that it has suspended search and rescue operations for the two Navy SEALs who were presumed dead after going missing on a mission to seize weapons from Iran earlier this month.

On January 11, the SEALs were supposed to board a "illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons" when they suddenly vanished off the coast of Somalia, according to CENTCOM.

The command declined to share any further details or identify the two frogmen out of respect for the families of the fallen SEALs.

Earlier this month, the Associated Press cited a U.S. defense official as saying that individuals on board the unidentified dhow intended to move the missile components—including warheads and engines—to another vessel near the Somali coast.

An anonymous Navy official talked on the condition of anonymity in order to reveal specifics that have not been made public. He added that the vessel has a history of illegally carrying weapons from Iran to Somalia.

On their way to the boat, the SEALs were escorted by naval special warfare crews in tiny special operations combat craft. One SEAL was knocked off by heavy waves while they were boarding it in severe seas at about 8 p.m. local time, and a teammate dove after him.

"In the items that have been confiscated, there are components related to air defense, as well as parts for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs)," CENTCOM announced in a statement on January 16. "Preliminary research suggests that the Houthis have used these very weapons to harass and assault innocent sailors on foreign merchant ships passing through the Red Sea."

Rescue efforts included airborne and naval platforms from the United States, Japan, and Spain, as reported by CENTCOM.

On Sunday, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla issued a statement expressing his grief for the loss of two Naval Special Warfare fighters. Kurilla promised to always remember the sacrifices and lives they had lived. "At this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the SEALs, as well as the United States Navy and the entire Special Operations community."

Among the many interdiction missions the Navy has carried out in the area is the seizure of weaponry from ships en route to the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen.

Authorities have clarified that the SEAL mission had nothing to do with the continuing international effort to safeguard commercial ships in the Red Sea (Operation Prosperity Guardian) or the recent retaliatory strikes carried out in Yemen by the US and UK.

Edited by Newsbreak Contributor Denys Shybinskiy