Two US Navy sailors missing off Somalia

Two US Navy sailors were reported missing while conducting operations Thursday off the coast of Somalia, according to US Central Command.

In a statement on Friday, Central Command stated that search and rescue efforts are still underway to find the sailors.

Beyond stating that they were "forward-deployed" to the US Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations and "supporting a wide variety of missions," the succinct statement provided no further details regarding the sailors' activities at the time of their disappearance.

“Out of respect for the families affected, we will not release further information at this time,” the statement read.

The US keeps a modest military presence in Somalia, mostly to counter the threat posed by the radical Islamist group known as al-Shabaab, which has attacked the Somali government. As a terrorist organization, the US recognizes al-Shabaab.