US Navy launches search and rescue as sailors go missing off the coast of Somalia

United States Central Command has reported that two U.S. Navy sailors are missing off the coast of Somalia. The names of the sailors have not been disclosed. CENTCOM revealed that these navy personnel were deployed in the area of operation of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.

In an official statement, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has confirmed the initiation of search and rescue operations to locate the two missing sailors off the coast of Somalia. The statement emphasizes that, for operational security reasons, additional information will not be released until the personnel recovery operation is completed.

The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, responsible for overseeing an expansive operational area encompassing approximately 2.5 million square miles of waters, includes strategic regions such as the Arabian Gulf, the Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea.

The waters surrounding Somalia, commonly referred to as the 'Horn of Africa,' have gained notoriety for frequent pirate attacks targeting commercial vessels navigating the region. Armed pirates employ high-speed boats to pursue and board slower cargo ships, subsequently hijacking them.

Multiple nations, including India, leveraging its robust naval presence in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean, have deployed naval assets such as warships in the waters around Somalia. This collective effort aims to enhance security for international shipping in the region.

The Red Sea, a key operational zone for the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, is gaining attention due to recent attacks by Houthi rebels on commercial vessels. This crucial waterway serves as a vital route leading to the Suez Canal, a pivotal crossing connecting Asia to Europe.

Houthi rebels, based in Yemen, have been conducting sustained attacks on commercial ships transiting through the Red Sea for several weeks. Supported by Iran, the rebels assert that their assaults on shipping are a demonstration of solidarity with the Palestinian cause, particularly in the context of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

In response to the Houthi attacks, both the United States and the United Kingdom have executed strikes against the rebels. In turn, the Houthi rebels have pledged to retaliate against these actions.