Search and rescue operations are underway for two U.S. Navy sailors missing near the coast of Somalia, the U.S. military announced Friday.
Two sailors operating off the coast of Somalia were reported missing, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said Thursday night. Said In a statement. The military declined to provide additional details, including the identities of the sailors, to protect sensitive information until the recovery mission is complete and to respect the families involved.
“On the night of January 11, two U.S. Navy sailors were reported missing at sea while conducting an operation off the coast of Somalia. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate the two sailors. Yes,” CENTCOM said. (Related article: Following continued attacks on ships, the US carries out additional attacks on the Houthis)
“In the interest of operational security, additional information will not be released until personnel recovery operations are complete,” CENTCOM said.
The missing sailors are assigned to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which operates in the Middle East and “support a wide range of missions,” the statement said.
On the night of January 11, two U.S. Navy sailors were reported missing at sea while conducting an operation off the coast of Somalia.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway for the two sailors.
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— US Fleet (@USFleetForces) January 13, 2024
The U.S. Navy has been conducting operations in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden amid heightened tensions since Houthi attacks on international shipping in the region escalated. It also operated near Somalia as part of a multinational task force. to counter piracy in Somalia.
In November, the U.S. military announced that a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer had tracked down Somali pirates who attempted to hijack a merchant ship in waters south of Yemen, and the culprit was taken into custody.
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