US Military Releases Update On Two Navy SEALS 'Missing' After Risky Nighttime Operation

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that two Navy SEALs who went "missing" nearly two weeks ago are now presumed dead after a risky nighttime operation in the Gulf of Aden to take control of a vessel carrying missile parts from Iran to Houthi-controlled Yemen.

"We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located, and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported missing during the boarding of an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons Jan. 11 concluded and we are now conducting recovery operations," CENTCOM announced. "During this expansive search operation, airborne and naval platforms from the U.S., Japan, and Spain continuously searched more than 21,000 square miles to locate our missing teammates. Search assistance was also provided by Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center, the U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Command, University of San Diego – Scripts Institute of Oceanography, and the Office of Naval Research – Oceanographic Support. Out of respect for the families, no further information will be released at this time."

As previously reported by the D.C. Enquirer, the operation was carried out amid rough seas, which led to one SEAL falling into the water. Following this, another member of the team, following military protocol, jumped in to save his fellow SEAL. The members of the SEAL team did go on to find missile parts bound for the Houthi rebels from Iran, including "Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components" that provide propulsion and guidance for mid-range ballistic missiles.

Search and rescue operations were underway for over a week, with the U.S. Navy leading the search. "Navy forces conducted a nighttime seizure of a dhow conducting illegal transport of advanced lethal aid from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen as part of the Houthis' ongoing campaign of attacks against international merchant shipping," CENTCOM said in a statement announcing their pyrrhic victory. The SEALs "executed a complex boarding of the dhow near the coast of Somalia in international waters of the Arabian Sea seizing Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components."

"We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example," General Michael Erik Kurilla, USCENTCOM Commander, said. "Our prayers are with the SEALs' families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time."

The world under President Biden is becoming increasingly more dangerous and has resulted in American service members being put in harm's way repeatedly. From the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan that led to the deaths of 13 soldiers and marines to repeated attacks on American troops in Iraq and now to the loss of two Navy SEALs, Biden's lack of global leadership is putting lives at risk. 

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