1 of 1 Image of a soldier from the US Navy SEALs group Photo: Reproduction/@navy.seal.swcc Image of a soldier from the US Navy SEALs group Photo: Reproduction/@navy.seal.swcc
On Thursday (11), two members of an elite US Army unit fell into the sea near the coast of Somalia during an operation to seize Iranian weapons brought to the Houthis. This Tuesday (16), Navy ships and aircraft were still searching for the two soldiers.
The two are members of the elite SEALs, members of the Navy who carry out missions in small teams. For example, the capture and killing of Osama Bin Laden was carried out by a team of SEALs.
The US has identified a typical sailboat from the Red Sea region called a dhow that could be carrying weapons from Iran to Houthi fighters in Yemen who are attacking cargo ships in the region.
The elite military's mission was to board and seize the ship. The dhow, the sailing ship, had no flag and the missile components were likely being transferred to another ship off the coast of Somalia.
According to the US Navy, this boat has previously been used to transport weapons from Iran.
The operation by American forces took place in the Arabian Sea and included:
- A base ship (USS Lewis B Puller),
- helicopter and
- Drones
According to a statement from the US Army, two soldiers performed a complex maneuver to get on board the sailboat.
The sea was rough and a soldier trying to board the ship was hit by a wave and fell into the water. Another soldier jumped to the first's aid. The two are currently missing and have not been found since.
U.S. officials say the waters of the Gulf of Aden are warm and that these elite military personnel are trained for such situations.
On Monday, the US tried to find the two with naval boats, helicopters and drones.
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, a U.S. military commander, said the Americans searched intensively for the two soldiers in the waters of the Arabian Sea.
Crew carries rocket components
The crew of the sailboat with rocket components was 14 people. Since they had no documents, the US military was able to search the ship. The Americans confiscated the following materials:
- engines,
- Guidance system
- warheads
These confiscated parts are intended for mediumrange missiles or missiles designed to attack ships. There were also components of the air defense system.
According to the US Army, initial analyzes indicate that these are the same weapons that the Houthis are using to attack cargo ships in the Red Sea.
The U.S. Navy regularly conducts interception missions in the region and has already intercepted weapons on ships delivered to the Houthis, a group of fighters in Yemen backed by Iran.
US and Houthis clash in Red Sea
US calls off Houthi attack in Red Sea
The Houthis have begun attacking cargo ships in the Red Sea, a key trade route between Asia and Europe.
The militants encountered an American cargo ship on Monday and tried to attack a warship on Sunday.
American forces responded with attacks on Yemeni territory.