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Two US service members reported missing in Morocco during African Lion 2026, Africom says
Two US service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near Cap Draa Training Area in Morocco. A search and rescue operation involving US, Moroccan, and other international forces is underway, and Africom says the incident is under investigation. African Lion 2026 is a large multinational exercise running from April 27 to May 8 across multiple countries.
Why It Matters
The incident underscores safety concerns in a major multinational military exercise and highlights ongoing international cooperation in regional security efforts.
Timeline
4 Events
US troops vanish during NATO drill in an Arab nation
May 3, 2026
The article reports that during a NATO drill, US troops vanished without a trace in an Arab nation. The article content is unavailable.
May 3, 2026: Africom says search and investigation ongoing
May 3, 2026
Africom released a statement noting the incident is under investigation and that a search-and-rescue mission, involving ground, air and maritime assets from the US, Morocco and other countries, is underway; the search is ongoing.
May 2, 2026: Two US service members reported missing near Cap Draa Training Area
May 2, 2026
Two US service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing on Saturday near the Cap Draa Training Area, near Tan Tan, Morocco.
April 27, 2026: African Lion 2026 exercises scheduled to run
April 27, 2026
African Lion 2026, described as the continent's largest annual joint military exercise, is scheduled to run from April 27 to May 8. The exercise is hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia and involves about 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries and more than 30 US-based industry partners.