Search Continues for Two U.S. Soldiers Missing in Morocco During African Lion Exercise
Two U.S. Army soldiers are missing near Tan Tan, Morocco, after a recreational hike during the African Lion military exercise; search and rescue operations are underway.
Two U.S. Army soldiers have been reported missing near Tan Tan, Morocco, following a recreational hike during the African Lion 2026 military exercise. The soldiers were last seen around 9 p.m. local time on Saturday near ocean cliffs close to the Cap Draa Training Area. Initial reports suggest they may have fallen into the ocean; however, no foul play is suspected.
A joint search and rescue operation involving ground teams, aerial assets, and maritime elements from the U.S. Armed Forces, Moroccan Royal Armed Forces, and other African Lion participants is currently underway. The incident remains under investigation, and the search is ongoing.
African Lion is the largest annual joint military exercise led by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), involving over 5,000 personnel from more than 40 nations. The exercise focuses on joint all-domain operations, crisis response, and multinational interoperability, enhancing regional security and supporting AFRICOM's strategic objectives.