In a tragic turn of events, two US Navy SEALs are reported missing after falling into the water during a nighttime boarding mission off the coast of Somalia. The incident occurred on Thursday in the Gulf of Aden, according to US officials.

The details surrounding the mission and the vessel the SEALs were attempting to board remain unclear at this time. However, it is known that the pair encountered high waves that caused one of them to be knocked into the sea. Following Navy SEAL protocol, the second SEAL quickly jumped in to assist his comrade, but both individuals disappeared from sight.

A search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate the missing sailors, as confirmed by the US Central Command in a statement released on Saturday. The Gulf of Aden has recently seen increased Navy activity, but authorities have clarified that this incident is unrelated to the ongoing US response to Houthi-led attacks in the Red Sea or Iran's seizure of an oil tanker.

The waters off the coast of Somalia are known for pirate activity, with pirates often targeting cargo ships for hijacking. To counter this menace, US forces frequently collaborate with other nations on counter-piracy missions in the region. These operations involve boarding vessels to verify their credentials and ensure they are not transporting illicit goods.

The two missing Navy SEALs were described by US Central Command as being "forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet (C5F) area of operations, supporting a wide variety of missions." Their current status remains unknown, and the Navy continues its efforts to locate and rescue the missing sailors.

This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder of the risks undertaken by servicemen and women in their efforts to protect maritime security and enforce international law. The Navy SEALs, renowned for their bravery and fortitude, will undoubtedly receive the full support and resources needed to bring them back safely.