Two U.S. service members are missing after a hiking accident during the African Lion military exercise in Morocco. The soldiers disappeared near a cliffside close to the Atlantic Ocean on May 2, around 9 p.m.
The missing service members were off duty when the incident occurred. A search and rescue operation has been initiated by both U.S. and Moroccan forces.
The African Lion exercise is the largest annual joint military exercise conducted by the United States on the African continent. This year’s event involves over 5,500 personnel from more than 30 nations.
The Moroccan phase of the exercise began in late April and was scheduled to conclude in early May. Previous incidents during African Lion exercises have resulted in fatalities.
Officials have stated that the incident is under investigation, and they have not confirmed whether the soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) emphasized, “Our focus is on the service members involved and their families.” Meanwhile, a U.S. defense official noted that initial reports indicate the two soldiers may have fallen into the ocean.
The exercise has been running since 2004. It aims to strengthen regional security cooperation among participating nations.
The situation highlights the inherent risks involved in military exercises, particularly those that include outdoor activities like hiking.
