Presumed Dead: 2 U.S. Navy SEALs Missing in Arabian Sea

Two U.S. Navy SEALs involved in a mission off the coast of Somalia have been declared dead by U.S. Central Command after a comprehensive 10-day search operation failed to locate them. The SEALs went missing during a nighttime raid on a dhow suspected of carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons intended for Houthi rebels. During the boarding of the vessel, one SEAL fell into the ocean due to rough seas with eight-foot swells, and the other SEAL, adhering to rescue protocol, entered the water in an attempt to assist.

The search spanned over 21,000 square miles and included resources and personnel from the United States, Japan, and Spain. The U.S. has since shifted the mission focus from search and rescue to recovery. Despite the SEALs' identities not being released immediately, the incident highlights the ongoing tensions in the region and the persistent threat posed by the al-Shabaab militant group, which commands U.S. military attention in Somalia. The loss of the SEALs comes during a period of increased action by the U.S. military in the area, including airstrikes against the Houthi rebels in retaliation for attacks on commercial shipping.