An operation of search and rescue is underway in southern Morocco following the disappearance of two American soldiers off the southern coast of this North African country during annual training exercises.
Two American soldiers participating in an international military exercise went missing on Saturday night in southern Morocco and are being searched for, the Moroccan and American armies announced on Sunday, May 3. The American military official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the incident is not related to terrorism but appears to be an accident. She added that based on initial indications, “the two soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.”
Search operations are currently ongoing for the two soldiers who were participating in the 22nd edition of “African Lion 2026,” a military exercise organized by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces (FAR) in partnership with the American armed forces.
“Two American soldiers participating in African Lion 2026 went missing on May 2, 2026, around 9 p.m. (10 p.m. Paris time), at Cap Draa cliff in the Tan-Tan region,” the Moroccan army announced on Facebook on Sunday.
Moroccan, American, and other participating forces have launched coordinated search and rescue operations involving ground, air, and maritime resources. The American military command for Africa stated that an investigation has been opened to determine the circumstances of this disappearance.
Scheduled until May 8, the large-scale exercise brings together over 5,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries, as well as specialized experts in security and defense.
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