THE US said it seized Houthi-bound “advanced conventional weapons” via Iran off the coast of Somalia last week, in an operation that led to the disappearance of two Navy Seals.

The seizure marked the first by the US of Iran-supplied ACWs since Houthi rebels began targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea in mid-November.

On January 11, according to a statement by US Central Command on X, formerly Twitter, US Navy forces conducted a night operation on a dhow near the coast of Somalia in international waters.

US Navy Seals, operating from USS Lewis B Puller, were supported by helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles, before boarding the dhow and seizing Iranian-made ballistic missile and cruise missiles components. These included “propulsion, guidance, and warheads for Houthi medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles, as well as air defence associated components,” according to Centcom.

Centcom said initial indications from analysts show that the weapons are the same as those used by Houthis for attacks in the Red Sea over the past few months.

The direct or indirect supply, sale, or transfer of weapons to the Houthis in Yemen violates UN Security Resolution 2216 and international law, Centcom stressed.

US Navy forces sunk the dhow following the seizure after deeming the vessel unsafe and revealed that two of its Seals were reported lost at sea following the operation. All 14 crew on board the dhow were captured by US forces and are now awaiting disposition in accordance with international law.

“We are conducting an exhaustive search for our missing teammates,” said General Michael Kurilla, Centcom’s commander.