Two U.S. troops missing during major African Lion military exercise in Morocco
Two U.S. service members participating in the African Lion joint military exercises have been reported missing near Tan-Tan.
Black News 
Two U.S. service members participating in the African Lion joint military exercises have been reported missing near Tan-Tan.
- Two U.S. service members went missing near Tan-Tan during the African Lion joint military exercises, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation.
- Rescue teams from the U.S., Morocco, and partner nations are using helicopters, drones, and naval frigates to search the Cap Draa training area.
- Specialized Moroccan mountaineers and divers are also involved in the search effort, which is taking place around a cliff where the soldiers were last seen.
- The incident remains under investigation, with no identities released and no evidence suggesting a link to terrorism; initial reports indicate the soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.
Two U.S. service members participating in the African Lion joint military exercises have been reported missing near Tan-Tan, prompting a large-scale search-and-rescue operation, according to U.S. Africa Command and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
Rescue teams from the United States, Morocco, and partner nations have deployed coordinated ground, air, and maritime assets around the Cap Draa training area, where the soldiers were last seen near a cliff.
The search operation includes Moroccan SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter, surveillance drones from both countries, as well as French and Moroccan naval frigates. Specialised Moroccan mountaineers and divers have also joined the search effort.
Investigation ongoing, no terrorism link
Officials said the incident remains under investigation and did not disclose the identities of the missing personnel. A U.S. defence official indicated that early reports suggest the service members may have fallen into the ocean, adding that there is no evidence linking the incident to terrorism.
The African Lion exercise, led by AFRICOM, is the largest annual joint military drill on the continent. It is designed to strengthen coordination and interoperability between U.S. forces, NATO allies, and African partner nations. This year’s exercise, running from April 27 to May 8, is being hosted across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
The largest segment is taking place in Morocco, involving around 5,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries, and focuses on joint all-domain operations, crisis response, and multinational coordination aimed at enhancing regional and global security readiness.
