Two US Navy SEALs missing off the coast of Somalia are dead, officials say

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – U.S. Central Command announced Sunday the death of two missing Navy SEALs off the coast of Somalia.

The SEALs were on a mission to board a boat believed to be carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons on January 11th.

One of the SEALs fell into the water during an eight-foot swell. The second jumped in after them according to protocol.

The names of the SEALs have not been released.

“We mourn the loss of our two Naval Special Warfare warriors, and we will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEALs’ families, friends, the U.S. Navy, and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, US CENTCOM commander.

The US maintains a small military presence in Somalia that focuses on the threat of the al-Shabaab militant group, an extremist Islamist organization that has carried out attacks against the Somali government. The US recognizes al-Shabaab as a terrorist organization.