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Two US service members went missing near Cap Draa, Morocco, during the African Lion 2026 military exercise, prompting a joint search by US and allied forces. The drill involves thousands of troops across Africa and aims to strengthen security cooperation and readiness.
A file image of US soldiers(AFP)Two US service members who participated in the annual multinational military exercise in Morocco have been reported missing in the southwestern part of the country, following which a search-and-rescue effort was launched by the US and its allied forces, AFP reported, citing officials on Sunday.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the incident occurred on Saturday at the Cap Draa Training Area near Tan-Tan, a Moroccan city roughly 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
AFRICOM, in a statement, said, "The incident remains under investigation, and the search is ongoing," and added that the rescue operation includes ground, air, and maritime assets.
Morocco's armed forces on Facebook said, "Two US service members taking part in African Lion 2026 went missing" on Saturday evening, "near a cliff at Cap Draa in the Tan-Tan area," and added, "The Moroccan, American and other participating forces in the exercise... immediately launched coordinated search and rescue operations involving ground, air and maritime assets."
It remains unclear which branch or unit of the military the service members belonged to.
African Lion 2026
The servicemen who went missing attended the African Lion 2026 military exercise, which began late last month in the southern city of Agadir in Morocco, bringing together nearly 5,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries.
This year's edition runs from April 27 to May 8 across the four nations of Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia.
According to AP, the African Lion began in Tunisia with active-duty members of different branches of the US military, including the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and the Marine Corps.
In total, over 7,000 personnel are participating across the four host countries. The military exercise has been running since 2004 and is the largest US annual joint military exercise on the continent. It usually features high-ranking military officials from Washington and several of its top African allies.
Citing US military officials, AP reported that the African Lion serves as a venue to boost regional security cooperation and refine the readiness of participating forces for global crises.
Earlier in 2012, two US Marines were killed, and two others were injured after a helicopter crash in Morocco’s southern city of Agadir while taking part in African Lion.
Rabat remains a key US ally in a volatile region. Since 2020, frustrated military leaders have ousted elected governments in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, citing failures to control violence, and have increasingly moved away from ties with Western nations.
This is a developing story. More details awaited.
About the Author
Swati Gandhi
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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