Search Efforts Continue for Missing U.S. Soldiers in Morocco
In a troubling development, the search for two missing American soldiers in southern Morocco has entered its fourth day, as coordinated efforts by Moroccan and U.S. military forces persist. The search commenced on Saturday, May 6, near the city of Tan-Tan, following a report from the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) regarding the soldiers' disappearance during the "African Lion" military exercises being conducted in the region.
According to the Moroccan military, the two soldiers went missing around 9:00 PM local time on Saturday, near a cliff in the Ras Drâa area. Alex Tignor, the director of public affairs for the U.S. task force in Southern Europe and Africa, confirmed to Anadolu Agency that the search operations are ongoing and expressed gratitude towards Moroccan partners for their collaborative efforts. Reports indicate that the incident occurred during a recreational outing where several soldiers were watching the sunset near rocky cliffs, rather than during a training exercise.
American officials revealed that one of the missing soldiers attempted to rescue a comrade who had fallen into the water, which led to both becoming unaccounted for. A third soldier also jumped into the water but was able to return to shore safely without rescuing his colleagues. The "African Lion" exercise, which began on April 27 and is set to conclude on May 8, involves 41 nations, including the United States, and is regarded as one of Africa's largest military drills.
Efforts to locate the missing soldiers are multinational in scope, incorporating ground teams, aerial assets, and naval elements from the Moroccan Armed Forces and the U.S. military, along with other participants in the exercise. The search utilizes various resources, including Moroccan SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopters, UAV systems from both Moroccan and American forces, a U.S. logistic support vessel, and a frigate from the Moroccan Royal Navy. The "African Lion" exercise, which commenced in 2007, is held annually and includes participation from European and African countries, sometimes featuring multiple iterations within a single year.
As reported by aa.com.tr.
