Two U.S. Army soldiers have been confirmed missing in Morocco. The soldiers were part of a multinational military exercise known as African Lion. An unnamed defense official interviewed by Fox News says the incident is not believed to be terrorist-related.
Two U.S. service members are missing in southwestern 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 happened on Saturday at the Cap Draa Training Area near Tan Tan, a Moroccan city about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) said.
"The incident remains under investigation and the search is on-going," it said in a statement, adding that the rescue operation includes ground, air and maritime assets.
A defense official confirmed to Fox News Digital that the incident is not terror-related.
The missing troops may have been involved in an accident, according to the same unnamed officials.
The defense official said that the two missing service members are Army soldiers who were last seen near ocean cliffs near the Cap Draa Training Area during scheduled training. 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 at this point precisely what has happened. As of this writing, there has been no official statement from the War Department.
Read More: Army Special Ops Soldier Charged by DOJ for Using Classified Info on Maduro Op to Win Wager
African Lion is a considerable undertaking, involving over 5,500 military members from 40 nations. The exercise takes place in Tunisia, Morocco, Ghana and Senegal. The War Department describes the exercise as:
African Lion 2026 is U.S. Africa Command's largest annual joint exercise, designed to strengthen collective security capabilities of the U.S., African nations and 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 over 5,600 personnel from more than 40 nations, using innovation to drive partner-led regional security.
The War Department's official announcement of the ending of African Lion 2026 does not mention any missing soldiers, American or otherwise. United States Africa Command, however, has 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 city of Tan Tan, Morocco, May 2, 2026.
U.S., Moroccan and other assets from African Lion immediately initiated coordinated search and rescue operations, including ground, air, and maritime assets.
The incident remains under investigation and the search is on-going.
Our focus is on the service members involved and their families.
This is a developing situation. We will continue to monitor this and bring you updates as events warrant.
Editor’s Note: Thanks to President Trump and his administration’s bold leadership, we are respected on the world stage, and our enemies are being put on notice.
Help us continue to report on the administration’s peace through strength foreign policy and its successes. Join RedState VIP and use promo code FIGHT to receive 60% off your membership.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member