Two United States service members have gone missing during a major military exercise in Morocco, according to the US Africa Command (Africom). The incident occurred during African Lion 2026, an annual joint exercise aimed at strengthening cooperation among US forces, NATO allies, and African nations.
Missing Near Cap Draa Training Area
Africom confirmed that the service members were reported missing on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, close to the city of Tan Tan in Morocco. A large-scale search and rescue mission is currently underway, involving ground, air, and maritime resources from the United States, Morocco, and other partner nations.
Africom Statement on the Incident
In a statement released on Sunday, Africom said: "The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing. Our focus is on the service members involved and their families." US officials told the BBC that authorities believe the incident was an accident and not linked to terrorism or kidnapping.
African Lion 2026: Largest Joint Military Exercise in Africa
African Lion is the continent’s largest annual joint military exercise, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. The exercise focuses on all-domain operations, crisis response, multinational coordination, enhancing regional security, and preparing for emergencies. This year’s exercise involves 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 US-based industry partners. The training is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 8, 2026.
Search and Rescue Efforts Continue
The search and rescue mission continues as US service members remain missing in Morocco. Officials have not released further details about the identities of the missing personnel, out of respect for their families. The incident is being treated as an accident, and investigations are ongoing.
