Two U.S. service members taking part in the African Lion 2026 multinational military exercise were reported missing near Morocco’s Cap Draa Training Area on May 2, 2026, prompting a coordinated search involving U.S., Moroccan and partner forces, U.S. Africa Command said.
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, on May 2, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said.
In a statement shared publicly, AFRICOM said U.S., Moroccan and other partner assets launched coordinated search-and-rescue operations using ground, air and maritime capabilities. The command said the incident remains under investigation and that additional information would be released as it becomes available.
A defense official told The Associated Press that the missing personnel are U.S. Army soldiers and were on a recreational hike after the day’s exercises had concluded. Morocco’s military said the disappearance was reported around 9 p.m. local time near the Cap Draa area, which lies along rugged terrain close to the Atlantic coast.
African Lion is AFRICOM’s largest annual joint exercise. The drills began in April and are scheduled to conclude in early May, running across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia. According to reporting by The Associated Press, the 2026 iteration involves more than 7,000 personnel from more than 30 nations across the four host countries and includes U.S. participants from multiple components, including the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Search efforts were continuing as of May 3, AFRICOM said.
