Two U.S. Army soldiers are missing in southwestern Morocco after taking part in a multinational military exercise, prompting a large search effort involving American and Moroccan forces.
United States Africa Command said Sunday that the soldiers disappeared Saturday night near a coastal training area after the day’s activities had ended. A U.S. defense official familiar with the situation said the pair had gone on a recreational hike when they failed to return.
“They were not engaged in training at the time,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “The exercises had wrapped up for the day, and they were out hiking.”
The soldiers were last seen near steep ocean cliffs close to the Cap Draa training zone, near the city of Tan-Tan along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. The area is known for rugged terrain, combining rocky hills with desert and open plains.
Search teams launched a joint operation soon after the soldiers were reported missing. The effort includes helicopters, naval units, mountain rescue teams and divers working along the coastline and nearby inland areas.
AFRICOM said the search is ongoing and the circumstances surrounding the disappearance remain under review.
Moroccan military officials confirmed the timeline, saying the soldiers were reported missing around 9 p.m. Saturday. Authorities from both countries moved quickly to coordinate a response.
The incident occurred during African Lion, an annual training event that brings together forces from across Africa, Europe and North America. The exercise, which began in April, is spread across several countries, including Tunisia, Ghana and Senegal, and is scheduled to conclude in early May.
More than 7,000 personnel from over 30 nations are taking part this year. The drills involve multiple branches of the U.S. military, including active-duty troops, the National Guard, Army Reserve, Air Force and Marine Corps.
The exercise, which began in 2004, is the largest of its kind on the African continent. It is designed to strengthen cooperation among partner nations and improve readiness for regional and global crises.
U.S. military officials have often pointed to the drills as a key part of their engagement in Africa, where security concerns continue to evolve.
Morocco remains one of Washington’s closest partners in the region, hosting joint exercises and supporting a range of defense initiatives. The country’s strategic location along the Atlantic coast and near key trade routes adds to its importance.
Still, the disappearance of the soldiers has cast a shadow over this year’s exercise.
This is not the first time a serious incident has occurred during the training. In 2012, a helicopter crash during the same exercise near Agadir killed two U.S. Marines and injured two others.
The disappearance highlights the risks that remain even outside active training scenarios. Military exercises often take place in challenging environments, and off-duty activities can carry their own dangers, especially in unfamiliar terrain.
The coastal cliffs and desert landscape near Tan-Tan present unique hazards. Sudden drops, shifting ground and limited visibility at night can quickly turn a routine hike into a life-threatening situation. The proximity to the ocean adds another layer of risk, particularly if someone falls or is swept into the water.
The scale of the search effort reflects both the seriousness of the situation and the close military ties between the United States and Morocco. Joint operations like this are not just about training; they also test how quickly and effectively forces can respond to emergencies.
There is also a broader strategic backdrop. The African Lion exercise takes place at a time when security dynamics in parts of Africa are shifting. In recent years, military-led governments in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger have reduced cooperation with Western nations, creating new challenges for U.S. engagement on the continent.
That makes partnerships with countries like Morocco even more significant. Incidents like this, while tragic, also show the depth of coordination between allied forces.
For now, the focus remains on locating the missing soldiers. Search teams are working against time, terrain and weather conditions, with hope that the soldiers may still be found alive.
The outcome of the search will likely shape how future exercises handle off-duty safety and risk management, especially in remote or hazardous areas.
AP
