MOGADISHU, Somalia – Two U.S. Navy SEALs have fallen into the ocean while attempting to board a ship off the coast of Somalia, prompting an ongoing search-and-rescue operation, according to officials familiar with the matter. The incident occurred in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. These operators were preparing to board the ship in rough seas when one of them slipped from a ladder, sources said.
The identities of the missing personnel have not been disclosed, and it remains unclear which vessel they were attempting to board and why. U.S. forces frequently collaborate with other nations as part of a counter-piracy task force operating in the Gulf of Aden. These missions sometimes involve boarding vessels to ensure compliance with regulations and to prevent the transport of illicit materials.
A U.S. official with knowledge of the incident confirmed that it is unrelated to recent U.S.-led strikes in Yemen or the broader international mission to protect commercial vessels from militant attacks originating in the region. Additionally, it has no connection to the Iranian seizure of a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker, according to the official.
U.S. Central Command, responsible for coordinating military activities in the region, has identified the missing service members as Navy sailors. They have declined to release further information until the personnel recovery operation is completed.
Special Operations forces in the region often face challenging counterterror missions and other difficult operations. In November, five crew members of an elite aviation unit were killed in a refueling accident off the coast of Cyprus.
This is a developing story and will be updated with new information.