Two US Navy SEALs Missing After Mission Off Somalia Coast

Two US Navy SEALs are missing after a nighttime boarding mission off the coast of Somalia. The SEALs were conducting an interdiction mission when one was knocked off by high waves. A search and rescue mission is underway.

Updated: Sunday, January 14, 2024, 1:06 [IST]

Two United States Navy SEALs are currently missing after conducting a nighttime boarding mission on Thursday off the coast of Somalia, as reported by three US officials. The SEALs were engaged in an interdiction mission, scaling a vessel when one of them was swept away by high waves. Following protocol, the second SEAL immediately jumped in after their colleague.

Navy SEALs Vanish During Daring Nighttime Mission — Representative image

Ongoing Search and Rescue Mission

Both SEALs remain missing, and a search and rescue operation is underway. The waters in the Gulf of Aden, where the incident occurred, are relatively warm, providing some hope for their survival. The US Navy routinely conducts interdiction missions in the region, intercepting weapons shipments destined for Houthi-controlled Yemen.

Unrelated to Other Operations

The mission was not associated with Operation Prosperity Guardian, a joint US and international effort to protect commercial vessels in the Red Sea. It was also unrelated to recent retaliatory strikes conducted by the United States and the United Kingdom in Yemen or the seizure of the oil tanker St. Nikolas by Iran.

US Military's Role in the Region

In addition to safeguarding ships from drones and missiles launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, the US military has also intervened to assist commercial vessels targeted by piracy. The US Central Command confirmed the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing sailors but refrained from providing further details until the mission's completion.

Deployed to Support Diverse Missions

The missing sailors were forward-deployed to the US 5th Fleet area of operations, where they were involved in a variety of missions. The incident highlights the risks faced by US military personnel engaged in critical operations in challenging environments.