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The US Central Command has rendered a somber announcement regarding the whereabouts of two US Navy SEALs who have been AWOL since a ten-day search off the coast of Somalia. (Photo: Getty Images)
Exhaustive 10-Day Search Ends in Heartbreak as US Navy SEALs Declared Deceased
The US Central Command has rendered a somber announcement regarding the whereabouts of two US Navy SEALs who have been AWOL since a ten-day search off the coast of Somalia. The persistent search has reached a solemn conclusion with the SEALs’ status being updated to “deceased.”
Sunday (Monday AEDT) saw the release of an announcement from Central Command expressing profound regret over the inability to locate the missing service members. As a gesture of reverence towards their families, no additional details have been disclosed at this time.
The extensive search efforts, involving teams from the US, Japan, and Spain, covered over 54,300 square kilometers in a determined attempt to locate the missing SEALs. The two sailors had been boarding a vessel in pursuit of illicit Iranian weapons when one fell into the water due to eight-foot swells. According to protocol, the second SEAL jumped in after them, resulting in the tragic turn of events previously reported by CNN.
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Top US Military Officials Express Sorrow Over Navy SEAL Losses
General Michael Erik Kurilla, US CENTCOM commander, conveyed poignant sentiments, stating, “We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example.” Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin also expressed condolences, affirming that the entire department is united in sorrow.
The loss of the two Navy SEALs underscores the inherent risks faced by the US military in Somalia, particularly in dealing with the threat of the al-Shabaab militant group. The US continues to maintain a small military presence in the region, supporting Somali forces and coordinating strikes against al-Shabaab. Al-Shabaab, recognized as a terrorist organization by the US, poses a significant threat, as emphasized by US Africa Command.
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