The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) confirmed on Sunday (May 3) that two American soldiers participating in the “African Lion 2026” joint military exercise went missing in Morocco on Saturday. A search and rescue operation is currently underway.
AFRICOM announced this news on social media on Sunday, explaining that the two soldiers disappeared near the Cap Draa Training Area in Tan Tan, Morocco. The United States, Morocco, and other partners participating in the “African Lion” exercise immediately launched a coordinated search and rescue operation utilizing various forces including ground, air, and maritime.
“This incident is still under investigation, and search and rescue efforts are ongoing,” AFRICOM stated. “Our focus remains on the military personnel involved in this incident and their families.”
AFRICOM did not disclose which unit or branch of the military the missing soldiers belong to.
The Moroccan military stated that the incident occurred around 9 p.m. on Saturday in the vicinity of the Cap Draa Training Area. The terrain in the area is characterized by rugged mountains and a mix of desert and semi-desert plains.
“African Lion” is the largest annual joint exercise conducted by the United States Africa Command, aimed at enhancing cooperation among the U.S. military, NATO allies, and partner nations in Africa.
This year’s exercise took place from April 27 to May 8 in four countries: Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
AFRICOM reported that the largest portion of the exercise was held in Morocco, with around 5,000 military personnel from over 40 countries participating. The exercise focused on global operations, crisis response, and multinational coordination to strengthen regional security and emergency response capabilities.
Active duty personnel from various branches of the U.S. military participated in the exercise, including the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps.
(This article contains information referenced from the Associated Press.)