As The Washington Post and other media reported earlier, Thursday's operation took place under rough seas. Officials said that when one of the special forces personnel slipped from a ladder while trying to board the sailboat, the second dived in to help, after witnessing his companion falling into the water. Both were swept away by strong swells. Neither has been publicly identified.
The official said that as rescue operations began, other forces searched the boat, which had a crew of about 12 people on board. The official said they were detained along with the weapons components and the boat sank. This person, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a sensitive military mission.
The Associated Press first published these and other details about the weapons confiscation last week.
The incident highlighted the ongoing challenge facing the Biden administration and its international partners as they pledged to hold the Houthis in Yemen – and the armed group’s main backer, Iran – accountable for the sharp rise in attacks that have significantly disrupted commercial shipping in the region. US and British forces struck dozens of Houthi targets in Yemen last week, hoping to discourage additional attacks, but the Pentagon then acknowledged that the group would likely remain a threat.
The Houthis said their actions were in protest against the Israeli military campaign in Gaza. The Biden administration has not ruled out future military action in Yemen, but has sought to act cautiously, fearing that an overreaction could flood the Middle East with violence.
US forces in the region reported separately on Monday that a US-owned container ship was hit by a ballistic missile in the latest alleged Houthi provocation. Officials said in a statement that the ship did not suffer “serious damage” and its crew was not harmed. A missile launched from Yemen earlier today fell before reaching the coast.
Senior US officials blame Tehran for “aiding and abetting” the crisis, which has mainly affected commercial ships crossing the Red Sea. Officials stress that the Houthis will not be able to threaten these shipping routes without technological and intelligence support from Iran.
One official said the missile warheads and other components intercepted last week came from Iran and were scheduled to be transferred to another boat off the Somali coast before continuing on to Yemen.
The SEALs began their mission From the USS Louis B. Puller, which Acting as a floating base, I headed towards the sailboat “A smaller vehicle,” this person said. The schooner The crew lacked official papers, allowing the US team to board the plane To inspect the ship.
Intercepting suspicious or hostile vessels, known as visit, boarding, search and seizure, or VBSS, is among the most difficult and dangerous tasks undertaken by highly trained forces. Such operations typically involve approaching the suspected vessel in small boats and using ladders and climbing devices to board, which can be complicated by rough waves and hostile crew members. US forces routinely cooperate with the militaries of other countries to combat piracy and weapons smuggling in the region.
Although days have passed since the two soldiers disappeared, the Pentagon still hopes to find them alive. Officials said that the Gulf waters are warm, noting that strong waves and exhaustion are more worrisome than hypothermia.
