Two US Navy SEALs, a special forces combat unit of the Navy, are missing after a night-time clandestine mission to disrupt the supply of lethal weapons from Iran to the Houthi rebels, according to the US Central Command. The United States Central Command, or CENTCOM, is one of 11 military commands that operate in the Middle East region. Last week, on January 11, US Navy SEALs were operating from the USS Lewis B Puller, an expeditionary sea base for versatile maritime operations.
The components and weaponry captured by Navy SEALs were utilized by the Houthis to conduct drone and missile strikes
The Navy SEALs, aided by helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), successfully docked the vessel near Somalia’s coast in international waters in the Arabian Sea and seized Iranian-made ballistic missiles, cruise missile components, propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defence components. According to the first US research, the components and weaponry captured by Navy SEALs were utilized by the Houthis to conduct drone and missile strikes on merchant ships in the Red Sea.
In addition, the inference implies a clear relationship between Iran and the Houthi strikes in the Red Sea. Security and defence analysts fear a spillover incident if the attacks continue and Iran and its proxies come into conflict with US-led partners on this critical marine trade route. According to CENTCOM, this is the first seizure of lethal advanced conventional weapons (ACW) delivered by Iran to the Houthis since the start of Houthi strikes against merchant ships in November 2023.
The interdiction also constitutes the first seizure of advanced Iranian-manufactured ballistic missile and cruise missile components by the US Navy since November 2019. “It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis. This is yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region in direct violation of UN Security Resolution 2216 and international law,” said US CENTCOM Commander, General Michael Erik Kurilla.
Houthi rebels also targeted a US cargo ship in the Red Sea
Two U.S. Navy SEALs previously reported as lost at sea were directly involved in this operation. “We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates,” the US CENTCOM Commander said. The US Navy sank the vessel after finding it unsafe and the 14 crew members have been captured and will be prosecuted as per international law.
Yesterday, Houthi rebels targeted a US cargo ship in the Red Sea. According to the US Central Command, the fire on board the Marshall Islands-flagged Gibraltar Eagle resulted in no injuries and the ship remained seaworthy. The Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile as part of their “axis of resistance” effort against Israel and its allies, and the strikes are being carried out “in solidarity with Gaza”. Over 24,000 people have died in Gaza, and the conflict has reached its 100th day.
Normally, almost 12% of world trade runs through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects southwest Yemen to Djibouti, but rebel attacks have disrupted economic flows. The US-led allies launched ‘Operation Prosperity Guardian’ last month to protect the vital sea routes but the Houthis have continued their attacks despite several warnings.
