Two U.S. Service Members Missing in Morocco During African Lion Exercise

Two U.S. service members participating in the African Lion 2026 military exercise have been reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area in southwestern Morocco, and a full-scale search-and-rescue operation is now underway.

U.S. Africa Command confirmed Sunday that the two Americans were reported missing on May 2 near the city of Tan Tan, close to the Atlantic coast. U.S. forces, Moroccan forces, and other partner nation assets from the exercise immediately launched a coordinated response involving ground, air, and maritime resources.

AFRICOM has not identified the service members, their branch, or their unit. The command said the incident remains under investigation.

Two U.S. service members participating in African Lion 2026 were reported missing near the Cap Draa Training Area, near the city of Tan