Two US Soldiers Missing After Military Exercise in Morocco
In a developing situation, two United States soldiers have been reported missing following a military exercise conducted in the southwestern region of Morocco. The incident occurred on Saturday evening in the Cap Draa training area, located near Tan Tan, a city approximately 24 kilometers from the Atlantic coast. This information was confirmed by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The U.S. Department of Defense has issued a statement indicating that the matter is currently under investigation, and search efforts are ongoing. According to reports from Fox News, the missing soldiers are members of the Army, and were last seen during a planned exercise near the coastal cliffs of the training area. Initial reports suggest that the recruits may have accidentally fallen into the sea.
Authorities currently do not suspect any terrorist activity, treating this incident as an unfortunate accident. In response to the soldiers' unexpected absence, U.S. and Moroccan military forces immediately initiated a joint search and rescue operation, utilizing ground, air, and maritime resources to locate the missing personnel.
The military exercise, known as “African Lion,” commenced in April and spans four countries, including Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal, with a scheduled conclusion in early May. The exercise began in Tunisia, featuring active personnel from various branches of the U.S. military, including the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Over 7,000 soldiers from more than 30 nations are participating in this significant operation across the host countries.
“African Lion” represents the largest annual military exercise conducted by the U.S. military on the African continent and serves as a platform for senior commanders from the United States to collaborate with key regional allies. This program was originally established in 2004, highlighting the longstanding military cooperation in the region.
As reported by tag24.de.