Search Underway Now for Two Missing US Troops After Morocco Military Drills – RedState
Two US Army soldiers have been reported missing in Morocco. The soldiers were part of a multinational military exercise known as African Lion. An anonymous defense official interviewed by Fox News said the incident was not believed to be terrorism-related.
Two U.S. service members are missing in southwest Morocco following an annual multinational military exercise, sparking an ongoing search and rescue effort by U.S. and allied forces, officials said Sunday.
The incident occurred Saturday at the Cap Draa training area near Tan Tan, a Moroccan town about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said.
“The incident remains under investigation and searches are ongoing,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that the rescue operation included land, air and sea assets.
A defense official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the incident was not terrorism-related.
The missing soldiers could have been involved in an accident, according to the same anonymous officials.
The defense official said the two missing servicemen are army soldiers who were last seen near the ocean cliffs near the Cap Draa training area during a planned training exercise. The soldiers may have fallen into the ocean, according to initial reports.
U.S. and Moroccan forces immediately launched a joint search and rescue operation when the soldiers did not return as expected, the defense official said.
It’s unclear exactly what happened at this point. As of this writing, there has been no official statement from the War Department.
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African Lion is a massive undertaking, involving more than 5,500 military personnel from 40 countries. The exercise is taking place in Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana and Senegal. The War Department describes the exercise as follows:
African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command’s largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen the collective security capabilities of the United States, African countries and their global allies. Co-led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force Africa (SETAF-AF) from April 20 to May 8, 2026, and hosted in Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia, AL26 involves more than 5,600 personnel from more than 40 countries, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
The War Department’s official announcement regarding the end of African Lion 2026 does not mention any missing soldiers, American or otherwise. The United States Africa Command, however, issued a press release on the situation.
Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa training area near the town of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026.
American, Moroccan and other African Lion forces immediately launched coordinated search and rescue operations, including land, air and sea assets.
The incident remains under investigation and searches continue.
We focus on the service members involved and their families.
This is an evolving situation. We will continue to monitor this and bring you updates as events warrant.
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