Two US Service Members Disappear During African Lion 2026 Exercise in Morocco
Two United States service members have been reported missing during the African Lion 2026 military exercises in Morocco, according to the US African Command (Africom). The individuals were taking part in the annual joint exercise, which aims to bolster operational capabilities between US forces, NATO allies, and various African nations.
Africom stated that the service members were last seen on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, located close to the city of Tan Tan. A comprehensive search and rescue effort has been launched, deploying ground, air, and maritime assets from the US, Morocco, and other participating countries.
In a statement released on Sunday, Africom confirmed, “The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing. Our focus is on the service members involved and their families.”
African Lion, recognised as the continent’s largest annual joint military exercise, spans across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The drill, scheduled from 27 April to 8 May, involves 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 US-based industry partners. Its objectives include developing all-domain operations, refining crisis response protocols, and enhancing multinational coordination to fortify regional security and emergency preparedness.
