Rep. Michael Waltz, a Republican Congressman from Florida, has called for a briefing on the deaths of two Navy SEALs who were killed during a mission to intercept a shipment of weapons destined for Houthi rebels. Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret and a top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, expressed his condolences for the loss of the elite forces fighters but raised questions about the mission’s execution.
“My heart breaks for the loss of these two Navy SEALs. Our country relies on the heroism of elite warriors like the Navy SEALs to conduct dangerous operations,” Waltz told Digital. “I have questions on the risk assessment regarding the need to do the specific operation they were conducting. We must ensure that the strategy President Biden has chosen has a realistic chance of deterring Iran, so their lives were not lost in vain.”
As the chairman of the Armed Services Committee’s subcommittee on military readiness, Waltz has requested a detailed briefing on the planning, execution, and aftermath of the operation. The Navy announced that the search and rescue mission for Navy Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Christopher J. Chambers and Navy Special Warfare Operator 2nd Class Nathan Gage had ended.
According to reports, Gage slipped and fell into the Arabian Sea while boarding the Yemen-bound vessel, and Chambers jumped in to save him. This incident marks the first deaths of U.S. soldiers in the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the West. The Iran-backed militants have been attacking U.S. and commercial ships in the Red Sea, citing their actions as defense for Gaza during Israel’s war with Hamas. In response, the U.S. has conducted multinational coalition airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
Waltz’s call for a briefing reflects the need for a thorough examination of the mission’s conditions and the Biden administration’s strategy in dealing with Iranian aggression. As tensions continue to rise in the region, it is important to ensure that the lives of American servicemen and women are not put at unnecessary risk.
Elizabeth Elkind is a reporter for Digital who focuses on Congress and the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and politics. She has previously written for Daily Mail and CBS News.
In conclusion, the deaths of the two Navy SEALs during the mission to intercept weapons bound for Houthi rebels have raised questions about the risk assessment and strategy employed by the Biden administration. Congressman Waltz’s call for a briefing underscores the need for a comprehensive review of the mission and its aftermath. As the ongoing conflict between the Houthis and the West escalates, it is crucial to prioritize the safety and well-being of American servicemen and women involved in such operations.
