Two U.S. service members taking part in the African Lion military exercises have been reported missing near Tan Tan in southern Morocco, according to statements from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces.
Joint search-and-rescue operations involving U.S., Moroccan and partner forces are underway, deploying ground, air and maritime units near the Cap Draa training area where the personnel were last seen.
Moroccan authorities said the service members disappeared near a cliff, while a U.S. defence official told Reuters that initial indications suggest they may have fallen into the ocean. The official added that the incident is not believed to be linked to terrorism.
African Lion, led by AFRICOM, is the United States’ largest annual military exercise on the continent, designed to strengthen coordination between U.S. forces, NATO allies and African partner nations.
This year’s drills run from April 27 to May 8 across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. Morocco hosts the largest component of the exercise, with around 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries participating.
