Two United States service members have been reported missing following an incident during the multinational African Lion 2026 military exercise in Morocco, according to official statements released Sunday by United States Africa Command and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
The incident occurred on Saturday, May 2, near the Cap Draa Training Area outside the southwestern Moroccan city of Tan Tan. Military officials said the area includes rugged mountainous terrain along Morocco’s Atlantic coastline, complicating ongoing search operations.
In a joint response effort, U.S., Moroccan, and partner forces participating in the exercise have launched a large-scale search and rescue mission involving ground teams, aircraft, and maritime assets. Search crews are reportedly combing coastal cliffs, desert plains, and nearby offshore areas as efforts continue to locate the missing personnel.
AFRICOM stated that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation. Military authorities have not yet released the identities of the missing service members pending family notification.
“Our immediate priority is the safe recovery of the missing personnel and supporting their families,” AFRICOM said in an official statement, adding that updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
The incident occurred during African Lion 2026, AFRICOM’s largest annual joint military exercise conducted in partnership with African nations and NATO allies. The exercise is intended to strengthen interoperability, regional security cooperation, and joint operational readiness among participating forces.
This year’s African Lion exercise began on April 27 and is scheduled to continue through May 8 across multiple host nations, including Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. Organizers have stated that approximately 5,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries are taking part in the drills.
Military officials have not indicated whether training activities in the affected area have been suspended while the search operation continues.
The disappearance has drawn attention to the operational risks associated with large-scale multinational exercises conducted in challenging environments. Authorities in both the United States and Morocco have emphasized continued coordination and pledged to maintain intensive recovery efforts until the missing personnel are found.
