Search Continues for Two Missing US Soldiers in Morocco
Last update: May 4, 2026
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The Two US troops went missing during African Lion exercise in Morocco..
Two U.S. service members taking part in the African Lion exercise were reported missing near Tan-Tan, the United States Africa Command and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces have revealed.
The troops went missing near the Cap Draa training area, close to a cliff, prompting a coordinated search-and-rescue operation involving ground, air and maritime assets, the two militaries said in separate statements.
“Initial reports indicate the two soldiers may have fallen into the ocean,” a U.S. defence official told Reuters, adding the incident was not related to terrorism.
The search, involving helicopters, vessels, drones, mountaineers and divers, was ongoing as of Sunday evening, officials said.
African Lion is AFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise, aimed at improving interoperability between U.S. forces, NATO allies and African partner nations.
This year’s drills, running from April 27 to May 8, span Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, with the largest contingent in Morocco involving thousands of personnel from more than 40 countries.
U.S. media reported the missing troops may have gone on a hike after training, though this has not been independently confirmed.
In 2012, two U.S. Marines were killed and two others injured in an aircraft crash in the same area during the African Lion exercise.
