US Seizes Iranian Missile Parts Bound For Houthis; Two Navy Seals Missing After Night Operation Near Somalia

The US military has announced that they seized a dhow near the coast of Somalia carrying “Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components” meant for Houthis to target merchant ships.

The US Central Command also reported that two of its Navy Seal commandos involved in the operation are missing.

"On 11 January 2024, while conducting a flag verification, US Centcom Navy forces conducted a night-time seizure of a dhow conducting illegal transport of advanced lethal aid from Iran to resupply Houthi forces in Yemen as part of the Houthis’ ongoing campaign of attacks against international merchant shipping," the US Centcom said in a post on X on Tuesday (16 January).

"U.S. Navy SEALs operating from USS LEWIS B PULLER (ESB 3), supported by helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), executed a complex boarding of the dhow near the coast of Somalia in international waters of the Arabian Sea, seizing Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components," it said.

The items seized by the US Centcom from the dhow included propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) and anti-ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as air defense associated components.

According to the US Centcom, initial analysis indicates these same weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and attack innocent mariners on international merchant ships transiting in the Red Sea.

This is the first seizure of lethal, Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons (ACW) to the Houthis since the beginning of Houthi attacks against merchant ships in November 2023, it said.

"Two U.S. Navy SEALs previously reported as lost at sea were directly involved in this operation," the US Centcom said.

“We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates,” said General Michael Erik Kurilla, US Centcom Commander.

The dhow was deemed unsafe and sunk by US Navy forces and its crew members were detained.

“It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis. This is yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region in direct violation of U.N Security Resolution 2216 and International law,” said General Kurilla.

"We will continue to work with regional and international partners to expose and interdict these efforts, and ultimately to reestablish freedom of navigation," the US Centcom commander said.