The US has intercepted a huge haul of lethal weapons during a raid of an Iranian shipment intended to arm Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
Navy SEALs aboard the USS Lewsi B Puller sea base vessel seized the arms during a daring night-time raid off the coast of Somalia on January 11.
Two sailors were lost at sea during the raid, with one SEAL slipping while trying to climb a ladder.
A dozen crewmembers were taken into custody as the boat was searched and a cache of weapons were recovered.
Navy SEALs aboard the USS Lewsi B Puller sea base vessel seized the arms
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USCENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said: “It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis.”
He continued: “[The seizure is] yet another example of how Iran actively sows instability throughout the region.”
The direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates UN Security Resolution 2216 and international law.
The seizure was also the first of advanced Iranian-manufactured ballistic missile and cruise missile components by the US Navy since November 2019.
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Houthi fighters are targeting ships in the Red SeaREUTERSThe Commander added: “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 Navy reportedly identified the vessel as one with a history of transporting illegal weapons from Iran to Somalia.
A recent US seizure recovered more than 2,100 assault rifles from a shop discovered in the Gulf of Oman.
General Kurilla confirmed the two sailors lost were directly involved in the operation.
USCENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said: “It is clear that Iran continues shipment of advanced lethal aid to the Houthis”
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He said: “We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates.”
However, officials also revealed the SEAL mission was not related to the ongoing international mission to provide protection to commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Efforts to protect ships in the Red Sea, known as Operation Prosperity Guardian, were enacted after Houthis started attacking Israeli-linked vessels.
The UK and US responded to the Houthis by launching retaliatory strikes in Yemen.