Two U.S. military personnel participating in the ongoing African Lion exercises have been reported missing in a training area near Cap Draa, close to the city of Tan-Tan in southern Morocco. This alarming development was confirmed by the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), based in Stuttgart, Germany, which announced on Sunday that U.S. forces, alongside Moroccan troops and other resources involved in the African Lion maneuvers, have immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations. These operations encompass land, air, and maritime assets, emphasizing the immediate commitment to the safety of the missing service members and their families, as stated in an official release.
Furthermore, the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) have provided additional details via social media, indicating that the soldiers went missing on Saturday at 9:00 PM local time, in a rugged cliff area at Cap Draa. They have also confirmed that investigations are underway to determine the circumstances surrounding this incident. The current iteration of the African Lion military exercises, recognized as the largest annual training event in Africa led by the United States, commenced on April 20 and is set to conclude on May 8. This year’s exercises involve participation from over 40 nations and take place across various locations including Agadir, Tan-Tan, Benguerir, Taroudant, Tifnit, and Dajla.
As reported by rtve.es.
