Tragic Incident: Two Navy SEALs Lost Overboard Near Somalia

Two members of the elite U.S. Navy SEALs team disappeared off the coast of Somalia on Saturday during a crucial mission, as reported by the Washington Post on Sunday. Their operation involved boarding a vessel suspected of illegally transporting weapons to Yemen.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on January 13 that a pair of sailors were missing and an extensive search and rescue effort was in progress. The sailors were reported lost at sea amid operations near Somalia's coastline. CENTCOM, prioritizing operational security, stated it “would not release additional information until the personnel recovery operation is complete.”

According to information provided to the Associated Press by U.S. officials on Saturday, the missing individuals were Navy SEALs engaged in an interdiction task. This operation was distinct from the ongoing maritime security missions in the Red Sea.

Further details emerged on Sunday when U.S. officials informed The Washington Post of the specific circumstances of the SEALs' disappearance. The incident occurred during a maritime operation targeting a ship suspected of ferrying weapons to Yemen. One SEAL was reportedly swept off a ladder by a wave and fell into the water, leading another team member to dive in for assistance. These officials clarified that this mishap took place on Thursday, suggesting it happened before a major joint airstrike on Houthi positions commenced early on Friday.

While the full outcome of this boarding mission remains undisclosed, the officials confirmed that the primary objective was to intercept a consignment of Iranian-produced arms intended for Houthi rebels. Such interdiction missions are a regular occurrence in the strategic maritime regions of the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Oman.

As of the latest reports on Sunday, the search for the two missing Navy SEALs was still ongoing.