Two US soldiers still missing after African Lion drills
A multinational search operation continues in Morocco after two US Army soldiers disappeared near the Atlantic coast during the African Lion military exercise.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM) reported on Wednesday that US Moroccan and partner forces launched a rescue mission using ground air and maritime resources.
More than 600 military personnel are searching for missing US soldiers near the Cap Draa training area outside the city of Tan-Tan in southwestern Morocco, according to several news agencies.
The soldiers disappeared late last week during the African Lion 2026 exercise which is led by the US Africa Command and Morocco. The soldiers were believed to have been on a recreational hike after the day’s exercises ended.
“They were not actively taking part in any training. The day’s exercises had concluded, and, from our understanding, they were out on a recreational hike,” the official said. “Our two soldiers and their families remain our absolute priority.”
“The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” Reuters reported citing AFRICOM.
According to the Washington Post, the missing soldiers were last seen near sea cliffs close to the Atlantic Ocean. A US Defense Department official told the newspaper the incident was “not terrorism-related.”
One of the soldiers entered the water around 9 pm local time and was unable to swim, CBS News reported. Other members of the group reportedly tried to rescue the soldier but the effort failed. The second soldier then jumped into the water to help but was struck by a wave.
The 2026 iteration runs from April 27 to May 8, across four countries: Morocco, Tunisia, Senegal, and Ghana. In Morocco, approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 US-based industry partners are participating, according to AFRICOM.
The disappearance of the US troops is not the first incident linked to African Lion. In 2012, two US Marines were killed in a helicopter crash during exercises in Morocco.
