Intensified Efforts to Locate Missing U.S. Soldiers
Official sources from the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces have announced a significant escalation in field operations aimed at locating two American soldiers who have been missing since the night of May 2. These soldiers disappeared while participating in the 22nd edition of the "African Lion 2026" military exercises, a joint training initiative held in Morocco. The specialized search and rescue units, including the Royal Gendarmerie, Royal Navy, and military engineering units, have deployed a variety of terrestrial, aerial, and naval resources in their ongoing efforts to find the missing soldiers near a rocky cliff at Cape Drâa in the Tan-Tan region.
According to reports, Moroccan Navy divers have commenced detailed search operations within the marine caves located in the area, striving to ascertain the whereabouts of the missing personnel. The search efforts began immediately after the incident was reported, which occurred around 9 PM on Saturday night, when the soldiers lost contact during a training mission in the rugged terrain.
The U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) had previously confirmed the soldiers' disappearance in a statement, indicating that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. AFRICOM has committed to providing additional information as the situation develops.
It is important to note that the "African Lion 2026" exercises commenced on April 27 and are scheduled to continue until May 8. Over 5,000 military personnel from 41 countries, including the United States, are participating in these large-scale military exercises, which are among the largest joint military drills organized by the U.S. command in Africa. The exercises aim to enhance field coordination between American forces and their allied counterparts within NATO and several African nations.
As reported by aljazeera.net.
