US Soldiers Disappear During Military Exercise in Morocco
In a troubling development during an international military exercise in southwestern Morocco, two members of the U.S. Army have gone missing. This information was confirmed by the U.S. Army's Africa Command (Africom) on Sunday. The soldiers were participating in the annual 'African Lion' exercise, which is known for its scale and collaborative efforts among multiple nations.
At the time of their disappearance, the soldiers were not engaged in active training; according to a U.S. defense official, they had concluded their exercises and were on a recreational hike. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday evening around 9 PM, near the Cap Draa training area, which is situated close to the Atlantic coast.
This region is characterized by its challenging terrain, including mountainous areas and arid landscapes, making it difficult to navigate. Following the soldiers' unaccounted status, a joint search and rescue operation was promptly initiated. This operation involves resources from both the U.S. and Moroccan military, including helicopters, ships, mountain rescue teams, and divers.
Witnesses reported that the missing soldiers were last seen near steep cliffs by the sea, but the exact circumstances surrounding their disappearance remain unclear. Investigations are ongoing, and search efforts continue diligently.
The 'African Lion' military exercise has been conducted since 2004 and is recognized as the largest annual U.S. military exercise on the African continent. This year, over 5,000 soldiers from more than 40 nations are participating. In addition to Morocco, countries like Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal are also involved in the training exercises.
It is noteworthy that a similar tragic incident occurred during the exercises in 2012, when two U.S. Marines lost their lives in a helicopter crash near Agadir. Morocco is considered a crucial ally of the United States in North Africa, especially as recent military coups in nearby nations, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, have exacerbated an already tense security situation in the region.
As reported by spiegel.de.
