Two U.S. soldiers missing after exercise in Morocco
Associated Press
Two U.S. soldiers went missing in southwestern Morocco after participating in the annual multinational military exercise African Lion. American and allied forces have launched a search-and-rescue operation, and an investigation is underway.
Two U.S. soldiers went missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in an annual multinational military exercise in the North African country, the U.S. Africa Command (Africom) said Sunday.
According to an Africom statement, the United States, Morocco, and other nations involved in the African Lion exercise have initiated a search-and-rescue operation. The incident occurred on May 2 near the Cap Draa training area, close to the city of Tan Tan on the Atlantic coast.
An investigation is underway and search efforts continue, Africom said. The exercise, which began in April, spans four countries—including Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal—and is scheduled to end in early May.
African Lion, first held in 2004, is the largest annual joint exercise the U.S. conducts on the African continent. The event regularly draws senior military officials from the United States and key African allies.
U.S. military officials have previously described the annual multinational drill as a chance to strengthen regional security cooperation and improve the combat readiness of participating forces in the face of global crises.
