2 U.S. soldiers missing during exercise in Morocco

May 5, 2026

Summary

U.S. Africa Command said two service members were missing after an incident during African Lion 2026 in Morocco.

Why this matters

The incident occurred during a major multinational military exercise involving more than 40 countries. It highlights the risks of large-scale training operations and the coordination required for international search efforts.

The U.S. Army was searching for two service members who went missing during a joint military exercise in Morocco, U.S. Africa Command said Sunday.

The service members were reported missing Saturday near Cap Draa Training Area in southwestern Morocco on the Atlantic coast. They had been participating in African Lion 2026, an annual exercise involving U.S. forces, NATO countries, and African nations.

A U.S. military official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss operational matters, said the two Army soldiers were on an early evening hike at a training range, and at least one was believed to have fallen off a cliff into the sea.

Other military personnel nearby formed a human chain down the cliff to try to rescue the person, but a large wave swept one or two of them into the ocean, a second U.S. military official said. Initial reports indicated the first person who fell was later rescued, but two others remained missing, the official said.

The search included Moroccan SA-330 Puma and AS332 Super Puma helicopters, a U.S. CH-47 Chinook helicopter, Moroccan and U.S. surveillance drones, French and Moroccan navy frigates, and Moroccan mountaineers and divers, the official said.

U.S. Africa Command did not identify the missing soldiers. “The incident remains under investigation and the search is ongoing,” the command said.

About 5,000 personnel from more than 40 countries were scheduled to take part in this year’s African Lion exercises in Morocco from April 27 to May 8.

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