In a concerning development, two U.S. Army soldiers have gone missing in southwestern Morocco while participating in the annual multinational military exercise known as African Lion, as confirmed by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) on Sunday. The soldiers were reported missing after they embarked on a recreational hike following the conclusion of the day's training exercises, according to a U.S. Defense official who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation. It has been clarified that these soldiers were not engaged in any active training at the time of their disappearance.
The search operation for the missing soldiers is currently underway, involving collaboration between U.S. and Moroccan forces. AFRICOM has stated that helicopters, ships, mountain rescue units, and divers are part of the extensive search effort aimed at locating the soldiers. The Moroccan military specified that the soldiers were last seen near ocean cliffs in the vicinity of the Cap Draa training area during the exercises.
The soldiers began their hike around 9 p.m. on Saturday, near Tan-Tan, an area characterized by its mountainous terrain, which consists of a mix of desert and semi-desert plains. The situation remains under investigation, and the joint search and rescue operation continues to be a priority for both U.S. and Moroccan military personnel.
African Lion, the largest annual U.S. joint military exercise in Africa, commenced in April and encompasses participation from over 7,000 personnel across more than 30 nations, including Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. Traditionally, this exercise facilitates regional security cooperation and enhances the readiness of participating forces for potential global crises. The event has been ongoing since 2004 and typically draws high-ranking military officials from the U.S. and its African allies.
In a historical context, it is worth noting that the African Lion exercises have seen their share of tragedies; notably, in 2012, a helicopter crash during the exercises in Agadir resulted in the loss of two U.S. Marines and injuries to two others. Morocco stands as a significant ally to the United States in a region marked by instability, where military coups have overthrown democratic governments in neighboring countries since 2020.
As reported by latimes.com.
