Two American soldiers have been missing since Saturday evening in southern Morocco where they were participating in joint international military exercises. Searches by the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces and the United States Africa Command are ongoing.
Published on: 05/03/2026 - 6:06 p.m. Modified on: 05/03/2026 - 8:58 p.m.
Two American soldiers were reported missing on Saturday evening, May 2, near the town of Tan-Tan, in southern Morocco. They were participating in joint military operations of “African Lion 2026”, according to statements made on Sunday, May 3, by the United States Africa Command (AfriCom) and the Royal Moroccan Armed Forces.
In separate press releases, the two armies specified that coordinated search and rescue operations had been launched, mobilizing American, Moroccan and partner country land, air and maritime assets, in order to find the soldiers who had disappeared near the Cap Draa training site.
The Moroccan army said the soldiers had disappeared near a cliff. The circumstances of the incident are still under investigation and research is continuing, the two armed forces added.
“Initial reports indicate that the two soldiers may have fallen into the ocean,” a U.S. defense official told Reuters by email. “I can confirm that this incident is not linked to terrorism,” he added.
Military exercises in four countries
The African Lion maneuvers are US Africa Command's largest annual joint military exercise. They are intended to strengthen interoperability between American forces, NATO allies and African partner countries.
The 2026 edition takes place from April 27 to May 8 in four countries: Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia.
The main phase of the maneuvers takes place in Morocco and mobilizes around 5,000 soldiers from more than 40 countries, according to US Africa Command.
With Reuters
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