Navy SEALs missing after seizing weapons meant for Houthis

The U.S. Central Command said a team of Navy SEALs conducted a nighttime raid on Jan. 11 and seized missile components bound for Yemen-based Houthi rebels from Iran. The SEALs boarded the vessel in the Arabian Sea in rough water, causing one commando to fall overboard. Another SEAL followed him, and both have been missing since Thursday. U.S. Central Command Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said officials are “conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates.”

What did the team keep away from the Houthis? Central Command shared images of missile parts seized by the SEALs, including propulsion, guidance, and warheads for medium-range ballistic and anti-ship cruise missiles. The weapon components seized are believed to be the same type as those used by rebels to attack international merchant ships in the Red Sea for several weeks. The seizure comes days after the U.S. and British militaries conducted retaliative strikes on Houthi rebels.

Dig deeper: Listen to Mary Reichard and Nick Eicher discuss Houthi’s response to the joint strike on The World and Everything In It podcast.