Two US troops missing during African Lion exercise in Morocco

The Moroccan Army says they went missing near a cliff

An Ivorian soldier holds a weapon, as Ivorian and US military personnel participate in a simulated raid during the closing ceremony of the US-sponsored Flintlock exercises at the site of the new French-backed international counter-terrorism academy, in Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, Apr 30, 2026. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

Two US service members participating in the African Lion joint military exercises were reported missing near the city of Tan Tan in southern Morocco, the US Africa Command (AFRICOM) and the Moroccan Royal Armed Forces said on Sunday.

US, Moroccan and other partner forces have launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations including ground, air, and maritime assets, to find the service members who went missing near the training site of Cap Draa, the two militaries said in separate statements.

The Moroccan army said the service members went missing near a cliff.

The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing, they added.

African Lion is the US Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, aimed at improving interoperability among US forces, NATO Allies and African partner nations.

This year's edition runs from Apr 27 to May 8 across the four nations of Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.

The largest part of the drills takes place in Morocco involving approximately 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries, according to AFRICOM.