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US troops vanish near Tan Tan during African Lion exercise
Two American service members were reported missing on Saturday while taking part in the multinational African Lion 2026 maneuvers near Morocco's Cap Draa Training Area, US Africa Command (Africom) announced.
Location and timeline
The disappearance occurred approximately 30 km northeast of Tan Tan, a coastal city in southern Morocco. Africom confirmed the incident in a Sunday statement, noting the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Search operation expands
A joint search-and-rescue effort is underway, combining ground patrols, aircraft, and naval assets from the United States, Morocco, and other participating nations. The operation is focused on the rugged terrain and adjacent Atlantic waters.
Initial assessment
A US official familiar with the situation told reporters that authorities currently view the incident as accidental, ruling out terrorism or abduction. The official did not provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.
Exercise background
African Lion 2026 is the continent's largest annual military exercise, spanning Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia. This year's iteration involves 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries and over 30 US-based defense contractors. The drills, which run from 27 April to 8 May, emphasize all-domain operations, crisis response, and multinational coordination.
Statement from Africom
"The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing. Our focus is on the service members involved and their families."
US Africa Command
Next steps
Africom has not released the identities or ranks of the missing personnel, pending family notifications. Updates are expected as the search continues through the week.
