By Our Correspondent
National News – Two United States service members have been reported missing during a multinational military exercise in Morocco, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation involving several countries.
The incident occurred on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, close to the southern city of Tan Tan, according to officials from US Africa Command (Africom).
The missing personnel were participating in African Lion 2026, Africa’s largest joint military drill designed to improve coordination between US forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations.
The exercise, which began on April 27 and runs until May 8, involves about 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries.
Authorities say the disappearance is believed to be accidental, with no immediate evidence suggesting terrorism or kidnapping.
However, investigations are still ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
Search efforts have intensified, with ground troops, aircraft, and maritime teams deployed by the United States, Morocco, and other participating nations.
Africom emphasized that its priority remains locating the missing service members and supporting their families during this period of uncertainty.
African Lion exercises typically focus on crisis response, disaster preparedness, and enhancing multinational military cooperation.
The drills are held across several African countries, including Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, reflecting growing efforts to strengthen regional security partnerships.
This development comes amid increased global attention on military collaborations and safety protocols during international exercises.
While such operations are routine, incidents like this highlight the risks involved in complex, large-scale military training environments.
Officials have assured the public that updates will be provided as more information becomes available, while search teams continue their coordinated efforts.
