WASHINGTON — The deaths of two Navy SEALs on a recent mission to confiscate Iranian weapons en route to Houthi rebels in Yemen is a “profound loss for our country,” President Biden said in a statement Monday.
“Jill and I are mourning the tragic deaths of two of America’s finest — Navy SEALs who were lost at sea while executing a mission off the coast of East Africa last week,” the 81-year-old president said. “… These SEALs represented the very best of our country, pledging their lives to protect their fellow Americans.”
The SEALs — who have not been publicly named — were lost Jan. 11 while attempting to board a vessel carrying weapons bound for Houthi-controlled Yemen, according to US Central Command.
As the team of special operators were climbing up the side of the ship, one of the SEALs slipped into the Gulf of Aden. The second SEAL jumped in after their comrade, following military protocol, but disappeared as well.
The interdiction mission — Pentagon jargon for intercepting weapons — happened at night, which some former special operators have said presents additional risks to those involved.
Despite the loss of the two SEALs, the mission was ultimately successful.
The US seized Iranian ballistic missile parts and other weapons, showing a clear “example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region,” officials said on Jan. 16.
Military officials have said the raid prevented at least some attacks by Houthi forces on commercial shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
The US, Japan and Spain searched “more than 21,000 square miles” for the SEALs for about a week and a half before CENTCOM officially changed their status from “missing” to “deceased” on Sunday.
Still, Biden said the military is continuing to look for their remains “as we grieve this profound loss for our country.”
The incident marked the first time US service members have died in one of the conflicts that have erupted across the Middle East since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack against Israel.
“Our hearts go out to the family members, loved ones, friends, and shipmates who are grieving for these two brave Americans,” Biden said. “Our entire country stands with you. We will never fail to honor their service, their legacy, and their sacrifice.”