Two US service members vanished during a large-scale military training exercise in southwestern Morocco, US officials said on Sunday. The exercise, known as African Lion, is a major training event involving troops from more than 30 countries, according to the officials. The personnel went missing on Saturday at the Cap Draa Training Area near Tan Tan, and the officials announced a search-and-rescue operation that day.
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) stated that the incident is under investigation and that search efforts are continuing. The search is focused at the Cap Draa Training Area near Tan Tan, where the personnel were last seen. The command, which oversees US military operations in Africa, did not provide additional details about the circumstances of the disappearance or the specific training activities being conducted at the time. AFRICOM did not say what caused the service members to go missing.
The missing personnel were taking part in African Lion, an annual multinational exercise that began last month, according to US military officials. The exercise is also being held in Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal, and it is scheduled to conclude in early May, the officials added.
African Lion is the largest military exercise on the continent, US Africa Command said. The exercise involves approximately 7,000 personnel from more than 30 countries this year, the command added. It has been held annually since 2004 and is organized by the United States in partnership with regional allies, according to the command.
Morocco and other allied nations participating in African Lion are assisting in the search for the missing service members, AFRICOM confirmed. The command has not disclosed what unit or military branch the missing personnel are from. The branches that take part in the broader exercise include the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force, and Marine Corps, according to military officials.
AFRICOM has not answered key questions, including what caused the service members to go missing, the current status of the search efforts, and whether they have been found. The command said the investigation is ongoing but has not released additional information or indicated when an update might be provided.