Two US soldiers went missing during the largest exercise in Africa

The US Army’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) today announced the launch of a search operation for two soldiers, nearly a day after they went missing at the Cap Draa training area, near the city of Tan Tan in southwestern Morocco. In addition to US forces, the Moroccan army and its partners also deployed land, sea and air assets to search for the two soldiers.

AFRICOM did not disclose the circumstances that led to the incident, adding that the current priority is to locate the soldiers and reassure their families. Meanwhile, Morocco’s military said two American soldiers went missing while conducting training activities near a cliff.

African Lion is AFRICOM’s largest annual exercise, aiming to enhance combat coordination between US forces, NATO allies and African partner countries.

African Lion 2026 is the 22nd time this exercise has been held. This year’s event takes place from April 27 to May 8 in four countries including Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. The exercise in Tunisia ended on April 29 with the participation of more than 500 US, African and allied soldiers.

Most of African Lion 26’s exercises took place in Morocco with about 5,000 soldiers from more than 40 countries. Training content covers many areas, from large-scale combat to crisis response and humanitarian assistance.

This year’s activities also include special operations, cyber defense, intelligence and explosive ordnance disposal. Forces from participating countries have coordinated in the air, on land and at sea, as well as applied sensor technology and shared information in real time.