The missing Navy personnel are now presumed dead after taking to the water on a night mission

The US military has completed a 10-day “exhaustive” search and rescue mission for two Navy SEALs who went missing on January 11 in the waters of the Gulf of Aden and are now presumed dead, according to a new statement from US Central Command. .

US Central Command said Sunday night that the military was conducting recovery operations for service members.

“We mourn the loss of two of our Navy SEAL warriors, and will forever honor their sacrifice and example. Our prayers are with the SEAL families and friends, the U.S. Navy and the entire Special Operations community during this time,” the general said. Michael Eric Kurella, commander of US Central Command, said in a statement.

Military officials said that the United States, Japan and Spain “searched more than 21,000 square miles” for the missing special forces members, and surveyed the Gulf off the coast of Somalia, but to no avail.

US Central Command said: “Out of respect for the families, no further information will be released at this time.”

Military officials said the two teams entered the waters in mid-January during a night mission to intercept a dhow suspected of carrying Iranian-made weapons for Houthi militants in Yemen.

Dhows are small fishing or shipping vessels used by Iran to smuggle weapons.

As a small naval vessel approached the dhow on January 11, one SEAL fell into the rough waters, and following protocol, a second SEAL dived into the water in an attempt to rescue, according to officials.

The rest of the special forces continued their mission on the dhow, confiscating parts of Iranian-made ballistic and cruise missiles and warheads similar to those used by the Houthis in more than 30 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Officials said.

The Houthis said their attacks come in response to the Israeli bombing of Gaza, as the Israelis target Hamas fighters in response to the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.

For years, the US Navy has intercepted dhows in the Gulf of Aden suspected of carrying Iranian-made weapons to the Houthis.

During these missions, boarding teams typically pull the dhows aside in small watercraft for a “flag check” mission if the dhow is not flying a flag or has replaced its flag to conceal smuggling operations.

The seizure carried out by special forces was the first since the Houthis began their attacks, most of which repelled American, French and British warships.

The SEALs operated from the USS Lewis B. Puller, an expeditionary naval base and converted cargo ship topped with helicopter landing pads and capable of launching small watercraft.

“In the winter, the sea state is typically 8 to 12 feet,” said Eric Ulrich, an ABC News contributor and retired Navy captain. “The horizon is flat, so 8-12 feet is 8 feet above the flat horizon — and then eight feet, it's like a 16-foot wave.”

According to Ulrich, these high-water conditions increase the risk of night boarding, which takes place in complete darkness.

He described it as one of the most difficult tasks a SEAL can perform, requiring constant training.

“You run the risk of your boat capsizing in close proximity to larger ships, and you have to create a solid ladder point, and you have to climb a ladder at night over the open ocean between two ships — they're crashing into each other — and then get on board.”

“And then your problem starts with what you're going to do…with anyone on that boat,” he added.

The January 11 seizure was also the first time since November 2019 that the US Navy seized Iranian-made ballistic missiles and cruise missile components believed to be destined for the Houthis.

The military said the 14 sailors on board the dhow were removed from the ship and are in US custody, although their future status has not yet been determined.

After they were disembarked from the dhow, the ship was deemed unsafe and was sunk by the Navy.