JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. Navy SEALs seized Iranian-made missile elements and different weaponry from a ship sure for Yemen’s Houthi rebels in a raid final week that noticed two of its commandos go lacking, the U.S. army mentioned Tuesday.
The raid marks the latest seizure by the U.S. Navy and its allies of weapon shipments sure for the rebels, who’ve launched a sequence of assaults now threatening world commerce within the Crimson Sea and Gulf of Aden over Israel’s conflict on Hamas within the Gaza Strip. The seized missile elements included varieties probably utilized in these assaults.
The assaults, U.S.-led retaliatory strikes and the raid all have raised tensions throughout the broader Center East, which additionally noticed Iran conduct ballistic missile strikes in both Iraq and Syria.
The SEAL raid occurred final Thursday, with the commandos launching from the united statesLewis B. Puller backed by drones and helicopters, with the U.S. army’s Central Command saying it came about within the Arabian Sea.
The SEALs discovered cruise and ballistic missile elements, together with propulsion and steering gadgets, in addition to warheads, Central Command mentioned. It added that air protection elements additionally have been discovered.
“Preliminary evaluation signifies these similar weapons have been employed by the Houthis to threaten and assault harmless mariners on worldwide service provider ships transiting within the Crimson Sea,” Central Command mentioned in a press release.
Photos launched by the U.S. army analyzed by The Related Press confirmed elements resembling rocket motors and others beforehand seized. It additionally included what gave the impression to be a cruise missile with a small turbojet engine — a kind utilized by the Houthis and Iran.
The U.S. Navy finally sunk the ship carrying the weapons after deeming it unsafe, Central Command mentioned. The ship’s 14 crew have been detained.
The Houthis haven’t acknowledged the seizure and Iran’s mission to the United Nations didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
A United Nations decision bans arms transfers to Yemen’s Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Tehran has lengthy denied arming the rebels, regardless of physical evidence, numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons back to Iran.
Since November, the Houthis have repeatedly focused ships within the Crimson Sea, saying they have been avenging Israel’s offensive in Gaza against Hamas. However they’ve incessantly focused vessels with tenuous or no clear hyperlinks to Israel, imperiling transport in a key route for world commerce.
U.S.-led airstrikes focused Houthi positions on Friday and Saturday. In response, the Houthis launched a missile at a U.S.-owned bulk carrier within the Gulf of Aden, additional elevating the dangers within the battle.
The SEALs traveled in small particular operations fight craft pushed by naval particular warfare crew to get to the boat. As they have been boarding it in tough seas, round 8 p.m. native time, one SEAL obtained knocked off by excessive waves and a teammate went in after him. Each stay lacking.
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