Two U.S. Navy SEALs are missing in the Gulf of Aden after falling into the ocean while attempting to board a ship off the coast of Somalia. The incident occurred in rough seas on Thursday, prompting a search-and-rescue operation.
The missing personnel have not been identified, and it is unclear which vessel they were attempting to board or why. U.S. forces frequently collaborate with other nations as part of a counter-piracy task force that operates in the Gulf of Aden, often boarding vessels to ensure they have proper credentials and are not transporting illicit material.
A U.S. official has stated that the incident is unrelated to recent U.S.-led strikes in Yemen and the broader international mission to protect commercial vessels from militant attacks originating from the region. The official also clarified that it is unrelated to the Iranian seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker.
Special Operations forces in the region have faced difficult missions in the past, with the loss of five crew members of an elite aviation unit in a refueling accident off the coast of Cyprus in November.
U.S. Central Command, which coordinates military activities in the region, has confirmed that the missing service members are Navy sailors and declined to provide additional information until the personnel recovery operation is complete.
The historical background of the Gulf of Aden includes its strategic location, serving as a crucial shipping route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Arabian Sea, connecting Europe and Asia. It has long been a hotspot for piracy, prompting international efforts to combat maritime crime in the region.
As this is a developing story, further updates are expected as the search continues.
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