By Gloria Ogbonna
RABAT, Morocco — Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern Morocco following an incident during the annual African Lion multinational military exercise, according to the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
In a statement released Sunday, AFRICOM confirmed that a joint search and rescue operation is underway involving U.S., Moroccan, and other partner-nation forces participating in the exercise.
“The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing,” the command said, offering few additional details about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance.
Moroccan military officials stated the incident occurred Saturday at approximately 9 p.m. near the Cap Draa Training Area, located close to the city of Tan Tan along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The region is characterized by rugged, mountainous terrain interspersed with desert and semidesert plains, conditions that can present significant operational challenges, especially after dark.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed what branch or unit the missing service members belong to. The Associated Press reported that it has requested clarification from U.S. officials.
The service members were participating in African Lion, the largest annual U.S.-led joint military exercise on the African continent. The exercise, which began in April, spans four host countries this year: Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. It is scheduled to conclude in early May.
African Lion brings together more than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations, including active-duty members of multiple branches of the U.S. military such as the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps. The drills typically include field training exercises, live-fire operations, airborne and amphibious maneuvers, humanitarian missions, and command post simulations designed to strengthen coordination among allied forces.
First launched in 2004, African Lion has become a cornerstone of U.S. military engagement in Africa. Senior U.S. defense officials have consistently described the exercise as a critical platform for enhancing regional security cooperation, improving interoperability among partner forces, and preparing troops to respond to global crises ranging from terrorism to natural disasters.
The current search effort underscores the risks that can accompany complex multinational operations conducted in challenging environments. Military officials have not yet indicated whether the incident involved a training accident, vehicle mishap, or other operational emergency.
This is not the first tragedy associated with the exercise. In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured in a helicopter crash in the southern Moroccan city of Agadir while participating in African Lion drills.
Morocco remains one of the United States’ most significant non-NATO allies in North Africa and plays a key strategic role in a region that has experienced political instability and security upheaval in recent years. Since 2020, military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have reshaped regional alliances, with some governments distancing themselves from Western partners.
As the search continues near Tan Tan, officials from both countries have pledged to provide updates as more information becomes available. For now, the focus remains on locating the missing service members and supporting their families during an anxious and uncertain time.
Source ABC7