Two US service members are missing following a multinational military exercise in Morocco, triggering a large-scale search involving American, Moroccan and allied forces.
The troops disappeared near the Cap Draa training area, close to the coastal city of Tan-Tan, where they were taking part in African Lion 2026, an annual exercise led by US Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Officials said the two were last seen on Saturday near steep ocean cliffs within the training zone, with initial reports suggesting they may have fallen into the Atlantic Ocean.
Authorities have ruled out terrorism or foul play, with a US defence official telling Fox News the incident appears to be a tragic accident during routine training.
A coordinated search operation is underway, involving ground teams, aircraft and maritime units from several countries.
AFRICOM said the search remains active, adding that the focus is on locating the missing personnel and supporting their families. The alarm was raised after the two failed to return to their designated training area.
African Lion is the largest annual joint military exercise in Africa, bringing together more than 5,000 personnel from over 40 countries, including NATO allies and regional partners. The drills take place across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, and are designed to enhance coordination, crisis response and operational readiness.
This year’s exercise, which began on April 27 and ends on May 8, is an effort to strengthen military partnerships and regional security.
Since its launch in 2004, African Lion has expanded in scale and complexity to include land, air, sea and cyber operations.
Morocco remains a key US ally in North Africa, particularly as instability persists across parts of the Sahel.
Countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have experienced recent coups, with some shifting away from Western alliances.
Against this backdrop, African Lion is viewed as critical in maintaining defence ties and preparing for emerging security threats.
Authorities have not released the identities of the missing service members as search efforts continue.