By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
TWO U.S. Navy SEALs, who were lost in nighttime seas during a raid on a small boat off Somalia, have been declared dead Sunday afternoon.
U.S. Central Command, in a statement, said that the 10-day mission has shifted from search and rescue to recovery:
“We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased.”
According to two U.S. defense officials, one of the SEALs tried to board the vessel amid rough seas but fell into the water, while the second dived in after the first, as is protocol.
CENTCOM, on Sunday, said the vessel, known as a dhow, was carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons as the raid took place January 11.
“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honour their sacrifice and example.
“Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said in CENTCOM’s statement.
The two officers were not publicly identified; CENTCOM said no further information would be made immediately available out of respect for their families.
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