Two US service members are missing during a Moroccan military exercise

Two US service members were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area outside the city of Tan Tan in Morocco on Saturday, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) said Sunday.

The service members were participating in African Lion 2026, a joint military exercise involving US, Moroccan and other partner forces. AFRICOM said coordinated search-and-rescue operations are underway using ground, air, and maritime assets.

The incident remains under investigation. The search is ongoing. AFRICOM did not release the identities of the missing service members or provide details on the circumstances of their disappearance.

African Lion is the US Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise. It aims to improve interoperability among US forces, NATO allies and African partner nations. This year’s exercise includes thousands of personnel from more than 20 countries conducting training across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia.

The Cap Draa Training Area is located along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, about 30 kilometres south of Tan Tan. The remote, rugged terrain includes coastal cliffs and desert landscape.

AFRICOM said it is working closely with Moroccan authorities on the search effort. No further information was immediately available.

SOURCE: Reuters